We know that more than 17,000 visitors come to New Farm Park every week. These glorious summer days that the whole of SE Queensland is currently enjoying/tolerating, will extend that figure, and we look forward to the next assessment. Groups are appearing as "first-timers", couples just seeking a unique and quiet paper reading experience, well prepared families looking for some genuine out of doors exertions; for them, the Park is simply ready made for all of their expectations.

ITEMS JUST ON......

Impeccable timings ! With the long weekend upon us, Council have performed miracles in recent weeks and the new, revamped, upgraded and seriously popular CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND, has now re-opened. It is now very clearly one of Brisbane's best recreational facilities. There were extremely large and energetic crowds in and about the Playground on the holiday Monday. Enjoy it they did !

Some more pics in the WEEKEND GALLERY

Also featured in the WEEKEND GALLERY are details of a recent activity which has seen these parts of town being a feeder for crew in the every Wednesday nautical activity called WAGS. No names for now, but they have joined up with WAGS, standing for Wednesday Afternoon  Go Sailing. Held at Manly, the activity provides a very therapeutic alternative to the coffee, chat and touch-pad mindset, which I note is still very popular among NF residents. This RQYS initiative is hugely popular with up to 70 craft and crew competing for mid-weekly line honours in great spirit and enthusiasm. More details are available on http://www.rqys.com.au/index.php/wags/  and there are some great pics in the  adjacent HIGHLIGHTS Slideshow. Just try it !

KEEP AUSTRALIA BEAUTIFUL AWARDS

A few months ago, we saw the Park awarded the "Pride Award" in the annual Community Awards organized by the Keep Australia Beautiful organization. It was a big day, with Lord Mayor Quinn featuring prominently on the day. Our VIDEO report on the day is already loaded; mid top left. Exciting times ahead involving moving pictures.

SUMMERHOUSE KIOSK UPDATE

The commitment of the Local Authority is to have a permanent Café/Kiosk back in New Farm Park as soon as possible. The current pursuit involves the upgrade of facilities and the general refurbishment of the existing Bus Terminus Building, with the operations spilling into adjacent Park areas. The location would be quite close to the very popular CityCat ferry terminal, that part of the Park providing some quite spectacular river views.

This weekend past has seen the Powerhouse, virtually come of age. Huge crowds gathered at venues within the Complex, to experience the development of the Site in terms of the variety and quality of entertainment, developed over the last 10 years, now being presented. All artistic tastes were accommodated as were a good number of thirsts. It was a real buzz, with all adjacent eating facilities packed to the limits. The Park had a very good day as well, with enormous numbers seen, during what was really a pretty ordinary day, weatherwise. A full montage of Sunday pics. can be seen on the WEEKEND GALLERY, accessed from the HIGHLIGHTS slideshow, to the left here. The Powerhouse website tells it in great detail of the next few months of celebrations. Weekends are a specialty. www.brisbanepowerhouse.org/events 

Every weekend in this part of the world, we get to see a scenario that tells New Farm as it is; and we are telling it to a thoroughly rational and organized visitor group.Last Saturday, the NF Historical Society hosted a full and fascinating disclosure on the iconic CSR Factory previously located on the river on Laminton Street.  A Report on the day can be found in our HISTORY section, but the entire afternoon and all of its highlights can be sourced on the website of the New Farm Historical Society. www.newfarmhistorical.org.au

A most appropriate announcement has to be made, with Jan Power's Markets here at New Farm getting some almost global acknowledgement. With an astute judging panel comprising Mat Moran, Maggie Beer, Jacques Reymond and Simon Johnson, these Markets were named number 22, in a listing of Australia's greatest gourmet travel experiences. You can read more in the segment, FARMERS MARKETS. Things just get done very well !

You can read all about the Sunday launch of "Tom Hurstbourne or a Squatters Life" in the LIBRARY section. It was a great day, attended by large numbers with an appropriate sprinkling of "celebrities". The full story can be sourced from ggbooks.wordpress.com  The NF Historical Society  hosted the expose of ABBOTT STREET, on the Saturday, again with large and enthusiastic numbers. More details in the HISTORY section.

 Near full movie houses and near empty recreation facilities are the more obvious consequences of the Festive Season rainfall. It has to be said, that beneficiaries of quality rain will be many, but to see it falling on a deserted New Farm Park was exhilarating. NFP just responds so quickly to good steady rain and there will be some great sights to see in coming weeks. 

OCtober "Tree of the Month" is now installed and the New Year gets under way with a delightfully informative review of the Buckinghamia celsissima. Likely not to be too recognizable by this tag, but at this time of the year,  a lot of Brisbane footpaths are carrying this species, now in full bloom. You  will readlily recognize them.

. 

 The plaque presentation at the Mary Ryan Bookshop, commemorating the sale of the 1000th copy of "Reflections of New Farm" - go to Library & Reviews.

 Another swag of Gallery highlights - go to Weekend Gallery.

Our local Councillor, by the way, has recently launched his own website. Like many others, it's a must read ! www.davidhinchliffe.com Coupled with his demanding City Hall responsibilities, David H. is in the middle of a very impressive Exhibition at the Neo Gallery in Fortitude Valley. It features some great new work by our very versatile local man, with some NFP work featured. Reviews of the Exhibition will soon be posted on the Arts & Entertainment nodule.

Stay tuned for an update on some new exciting material in our new sister-site www.merthyrpark.com.au