2026
14 March
An evening at the Playhouse
I met my darling daughter at Southbank for an evening of theatre at the Playhouse. See my review column. Brisbane's lit-up sky is very pleasant. On this occasion, the colour scheme happened to be green and blue - what a coincidence, just like my outfit.
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| couldn't wish for a better backdrop |
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| even compliments Ildika's couture |
people enjoying the riverbank
so exciting
Nepal Peace Pagoda
Bringing back such fond memories of Brisbane's World Expo 88, the Pagoda, the site's only remaining international exhibit, has not lost its charm.
7 March
Glasshouse Theatre Community Day
I met three of the AF (awesome foursome) at the opening of Brisbane's latest theatre. I can't remember how many years we strolled around that building site, wondering what it would be once it was finished. We were not disappointed.
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amazing curves |
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| vis-a-vis from the ABC |
opening ceremony
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| three out of four |
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This beautiful timber panelling rivals that of the Elizabeth Murdoch Hall in Melbourne.  |
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| a glimpse behind the stage |
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| foyer's curves |
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| view towards the city Floriate by Brian Robinson is a four-metre-high bronze sculpture suggestive of South Brisbane's key river systems, ending with native flora that sustained First Nations People for thousands of years. |
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These flowering plants grow across Queensland.  Can you spot the featured plants, which are: Kurrajong from the Wet Tropics, Spotted Emu Bush from Lake Eyre and Bulloo, Lemon Aspen from Central Queensland, Cape York Lily from Western Cape and the Gulf, Bat's Wing Coral Tree from South-East Queensland, Sally Wattle from Murray-Darling, and Milkmaids from Wallum.  |
Looking forward to seeing my first performance at the Glasshouse.
28 February
The 2026 UQ Alumni Book Fair
Friday 27 February: 9am–9pm
Saturday 28 February: 9am–7pm
Sunday 1 March: 9am–5pm
Location: UQ Centre, Union Road, UQ St Lucia Campus
Free event
Lured by the Author Talks, RNM, and I spent the day at the UQ Centre, momentarily reliving the exciting moments of graduation fever from years past.
The conversations were expertly conducted by Sally Wilson and UQP Director Madonna Duffy.
Sally with:
Martine Kropkowski on finding inspiration and overcoming writer's block, and Ian Kemish AM about Fiction vs Non-Fiction and his book Two Islands.
Madonna with:
Andrew Stafford on Music and Memory in Pig City, and Nikki Mottram about her book Crow's Nest.
Feeling inspired by the imparted pearls of wisdom, such as 'treat people as equals, and they might treat you the same', and 'put your heart into your book and hope it resonates', we were ready to rush home. However, we could not attend this annual event without browsing the book selection, and despite vague promises not to overload our already overloaded bookcases, we did arrive at home with a bookload. But then, isn't that what it is all about?
27 February
Maritime Museum presents Twilight Jazz on the river
My dear friend Sally introduced the rest of our AF (awesome foursome) to the periodical Twilight Jazz evening at the Maritime Museum.
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| The band is warming up... |
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| AFs are warming up... |
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| The singers are swinging... |
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| Forcing Birgitte and me onto the edge of the river |
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| But it was so much fun |
Thanks, Sally, for organising another wonderful night of great like-minded company, funky jazz, bubbles, pizza and the most spectacular setting on the Brisbane river.
23 February
It's amazing what you find, thanks to the RNM, while strolling through your garden - a Black Bat flower, or Tacca chantrieri, if you are into botanicals.
Not far from this pot was another interesting specimen that I had to touch again and again to convince myself that it was not made out of plastic:
Hoya carnosa
Nodding Violet...
otherwise known as, what sounds almost like a disease, Streptocarpus caulescens.
so beautiful in its simplicity
The Blue Flower reminds me of the Romantic school, standing for desire, love and the metaphysical striving for the infinite and unreachable, symbolising hope and the beauty of things.
Good start to the week.
17 February
Went shopping today to Stafford City, and what did I see in the display case?
My outfit!
31 January
We can save Vic Park!
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I support the Save Victoria Park campaign to protect this beautiful park, a place of contemplation and regeneration from destruction and to prevent the erection of a 63,000-seat stadium for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics on this sacred site.
Eminent advocates and speakers addressed the peaceful rally in the park under its historic trees.
Former Permier Qld, Lord Mayor Brisbane
Ms Deborah Sandy
Yuggera Elder
Auntie Gaja Kerry Charlton
Prof Marcus Foth
Prof Urban Informatics, QUT
YMAC spokesperson and Yagaarabul elder Elder
Quoting Councillor Seal Chong Wah from the Paddington Ward:
- Brisbane City Council recently changed our City Plan to allow a reduction in greenspace by 290 hectares of Brisbane's projected population in 11 years.
- We cannot afford to lose 64 hectares of the largest inner-city greenspace. Once lost, lost forever.
- Losing much of Barrambin and its 4,000 mature trees would be an environmental disaster, eroding our city's greenspace, increasing the urban heat island effect and worsening flooding.
Gaja Kerry Charlton states: 'Barrambin is a living Country, possessing sacred, ancient and significant relationships within our cultural heritage systems.'
Building and patronising a massive stadium next door to the major Queensland hospital would cause significant traffic disruptions to the emergency flow of patients seeking urgent medical treatment in life-threatening situations.
Support Victoria Park Action Group in the fight to stop this irreparable absurdity:
29 January
Catch up lunch for the new year with the wonderful FOBOGs (Faculty of Business Old Girls) at the Emporium's Rooftop Bar Restaurant. One of the clever girls calculated that it is 36 years since we all worked together at QUT. Just as well she did the math, because according to my calculations on 28 January, I would have had my daughter while being gainfully employed at the university ...
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left: Kate, Veronica, Trina
right: Rosie, Colleen, moi
It was so great catching up again. Time seems to march on with ever-increasing haste. We vowed to meet sooner rather than later next time. Possibly a winter-get-together in Stanthorpe?
28 January
Breakfast with my (BBGD) beautiful birthday girl daughter in Kenmore. It seemed only 26 years ago that she came into this world. She grew up, and I shrank away. I guess that's what happens with birthdays: they affect us in different ways in different stages of our lives. We had a good time anyway. Here's to more of the good times. 😍
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