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......

Midweek rain and plenty of it.  Everything will be the better for it ! The rain has now cleared and NFP is witnessing as expected, very large and enthusiastic crowds. Weekend numbers with these cloudless blue skies, balmy temperatures and a community need just to get out, have seen the Park perhaps at its fullest. As always the Park is coping well. The WEEKEND GALLERY, to our left, features a Friday after school retreat for a couple of local NF families. The weekend will be huge.

The NFP Playground, in its new bright and very expansive format, has now been re-opened. Weekend visitors will experience so many new and exciting new features, including some not seen before in any Council recreational Park. This type of Playground has been established in many parts of Brisbane, all enjoying very loyal and local patronage. It is suggested that this long awaited re-vamped and upgraded entertainment facility will see New Farm Park be re-instated as Brisbane's most popular and most loved Playground. Crowds will be huge. There are a couple of pics. already in the WEEKEND GALLERY segment, which can be sourced from the adjacent HIGHLIGHTS slideshow and more to come in following days. No doubt, there will be many, many more. Just send them in if you'd like to be seen online. Councillor David Hinchliffe's website will have many others also. www.davidhinchliffe.com  It is a time of great celebration.

Well, our first Teneriffe Festival has now come and gone. Last Saturday saw our local community respond in the most of positive ways, with unbelievable numbers arriving in the Festival precinct of Vernon Terrace, for a day of the most diverse and appropriate celebrations. Commencing with a vice-regal launch of history laden plaques, the Festival embraced all of the special nuances of this part of town. Our Weekend Gallery segment contains some pictorial highlights. It was a sensational day.

We have been advised that a decision in regards to the new Kiosk for NFP is expected quite shortly.  Our local Councillor, David Hinchliffe, has alerted his constituents that the appeal  process, now of some 6 years duration, may be at the final decsion making stage.  The Courts will decide on the Lessee Application and the relevant opposition to it from many parties including the heirarchy of Brisbane City Council and other local interests.  The outcome is  being eagerly awaited. There will be updates on www.davidhinchliffe.com

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 Coronet Court Flats. They overlook the Park from a very imposing corner position in Brunswick Street. A Report on the day can be found in our HISTORY section, but the entire afternoon and all of its highlights are available on a DVD, shortly to be released by the Society. Enquiries can be made  newfarmhistory@ yahoo.com 

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 !

There are many who enjoy very close ties with those just over the river in Bulimba. The scribe took a late afternoon call which included an invitation to join in to the well documented and  entrenched enrolment system with one of Bulimba's much loved early childhood facilites. Apparently the process is one of just lining up outside the facility, with early comers being best positioned to have enrolments accepted. WEEKEND GALLERY is dedicated to very long night for some very enthusiastic and committed parents. All enjoyed themselves.

Two weekend events have now passed, both with important links to the Site.

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.

Australia Day in the Park was a go-to necessity for so many. Crowds were huge, ranging from small family groups to big and even bigger gatherings. There are plenty of highlights to be seen on the WEEKEND GALLERY segment. NFP itself, was in superb condition, considering all of the extremes of weather we've endured in the last month or so. It handles and responds to these vagaries very well.

 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. 

January "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.

Our 2009 in Review publication was distributed earlier this week, with some great feedback already in the system. 

Council notice on Playground upgrade

Councillor, David Hinchliffe has updated the status of the proposed new work at the NFP Playground. For now, the Playground is CLOSED, with he final part of a very protracted programme now under way. Signage has been placed upon the security fencing, with first time visitors to the park being asked to contact Council's hotline on 3403 8888 for more details. (more in April Newsletter)

 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

There has been some movement at River Heads. You will recall that "Cracklin' Rosie" was being prepared for a extended jaunt through NQ waters, after the winter comforts and security of the Susan River. Go to "... a Quick Insight" for a most insightful view of what goes on in "getting ready " for such a voyage. Our intrepid sailng duo left last month. Regular reports will be seen here.