Sandgate Guide

🔎 One man, two names and a fascinating Sandgate mystery!

This month’s local history feature takes a deep dive into the historical record to uncover the story of Johann Heinrich Casper Meyer — also known as Henry, John and Johan Meyer.

https://sandgateguide.com.au/stories/henry-meyer/

From arriving in Australia from Germany and running hotels in Fortitude Valley and Sandgate, to court cases, a hotel fire and eventually becoming a pioneer of what would become the Gold Coast, Meyer led quite a life. 🏨🔥🌴

But why does the historical record seem to show Johann and Henry as two different men? 🕵️‍♂️📜
📰 Read more in this month’s Sandgate Guide and discover the mystery of Mr Meyer.

🎬🤖 Can AI really replace human creativity?

AI is everywhere, from generating images and videos to helping write scripts — but can it really replace the people behind the camera?

https://sandgateguide.com.au/stories/ai-vs-humans-in-the-film-industry/

This month’s student journalist column takes a closer look at why film directing is about much more than technology.

From emotion and imagination to collaboration, storytelling and real human experiences, there are some things AI simply can’t replicate. 🎥✨

📰 Read the full column in this month’s Sandgate Guide.

🎶🪩 School’s Out is going retro!

Local teenagers are taking a trip back in time at this month’s School’s Out on the Green, with the twice-yearly event returning to Bracken Ridge with a retro theme chosen by its student organising committee. 📻✨

https://sandgateguide.com.au/stories/schools-out-on-the-green/

Planned by teenagers, for teenagers, the free, alcohol-free event will feature live music, local young performers and plenty of time to hang out with friends at the end of term. 🎸🙌
📅 Friday, 18 September | 5pm–9pm
📍 Bracken Ridge Library
Read the full story in this month’s Sandgate Guide to find out how local students are putting their own stamp on this popular community event. 📰🎤

🚨 Would you know what to do in an emergency?

Emergencies can happen without warning, but having a plan in place can make a big difference.
Sandgate locals can learn how to prepare for local hazards at a free EmergencyRedi™ Workshop during Australian Red Cross’ EmergencyRedi Week. 🏠❤️

https://sandgateguide.com.au/stories/emergencyredi-workshop/

The session will cover local emergency risks, help participants start building their own RediPlan® and explore the practical, psychological and social aspects of being prepared.

📅 Thursday, 17 September | 2pm–3.30pm
📍 SANDBAG Inc, 153 Rainbow Street, Sandgate

🎟️ Free, but spaces are limited.
More in this month’s Sandgate Guide. 📰

🎉 School holidays aren't far away — let the fun begin! 🥳

Looking for ways to keep the kids busy these September school holidays?
From fishing and sports to dinosaurs, coding, crafts and outdoor adventures, there’s plenty happening across the northside! 🎣🦖🎨

https://sandgateguide.com.au/stories/september-school-holidays-events/

Some of the highlights include:
🎣 Fishing Fun at Shorncliffe
🚂 STEAM Ahead on the Intelino School Holiday Train
🦖 Roarsome Storytime and Puppet Meet-and-Greet
🏛️ Fact Finders: Ancient Rome
🐝 Create a Buzzy Bee Bowl
💃 Zumba for Kids
🎨 Drawing with Osmo
🏃 Kids Sports at Boondall
🌊 Seaside adventures at Decker Park
🌿 Exploration adventures at Deep Water Bend Reserve

Plus plenty more free and low-cost activities for different ages and interests!

📰 Read the full School Holiday Guide in this month’s Sandgate Guide and start filling the holiday calendar with fun, family-friendly adventures. ✨

🎶 Two tenors are heading to Sandgate!

Following the success of their Timeless Duets concert, Vavachi Entertainment is returning to Sandgate Town Hall with The Two Tenors – The Best of Josh Groban as part of Queensland Seniors Month.

https://sandgateguide.com.au/stories/the-best-of-josh-groban/

Featuring former The Ten Tenors member Roger Davy, Gold Palm Award-winning performer and Brighton local Matthew Leigh and special guest soprano Gabrielle Diaz, the 90-minute performance will feature Josh Groban favourites including You Raise Me Up, The Prayer and To Where You Are, alongside Broadway and classical crossover favourites.

📅 Friday, 2 October, 11am
📍 Sandgate Town Hall

Want to hear more about the performers and what audiences can expect? Read the full story in this month’s Sandgate Guide.

🐶🎶 Who says music is just for humans?

A group of curious Guide Dog puppies has become a regular part of the audience for local band The Lethargic Barnacles, who play Sunday afternoons near Shorncliffe Pier. 🎸🐾

https://sandgateguide.com.au/stories/the-lethargic-barnacles/

The puppies, accompanied by their volunteer handlers, are using the live music as part of their socialisation and sound exposure training! 🥰

The band plays an eclectic mix of genres with one simple aim: to make people (and dogs) happy. 🐕🎵

Read the full story in this month’s Sandgate Guide for this delightful local tale of music, community and four-legged fans. 📰💙

✨ MAKE, BELIEVE, MAGIC HAS ARRIVED! ✨

We were thrilled to be invited to the media preview of Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of the Jim Henson Company at QAGOMA today — and, quite simply, we were blown away.

And what a welcome! We were greeted by Red Fraggle, operated by Karen Prell, which was a pretty magical way to start the morning. ❤️

Opening 12 September, this spectacular exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of seven decades of imagination, puppetry, storytelling and world-building from the legendary Jim Henson Company.

QAGOMA Director Chris Saines CNZM said QAGOMA had “long sought to amplify what lies behind the moving image” and described Make, Believe, Magic as “our most ambitious endeavour of this kind”.

The exhibition, he said, “takes us behind the scenes of the art and puppetry of character formation and of world building” and is “the most comprehensive in the company’s history”.

Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company, said the exhibition was “honouring our company's 70-year history with this definitive exhibit”, adding, “I don't think anything like this has been done.”
And after seeing it today, we can understand why.
At the preview, we came face-to-face with Big Bird and Snuffleupagus — with Snuffy making his first-ever journey outside America! 😲

We were blown away by the incredible scope and detail of the Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock sets, admired the original costume worn by David Bowie in the Dance Magic Dance sequence from Labyrinth, and got up close to the wonderfully creepy Skeksis from The Dark Crystal.

There is SO much to see.

Lisa Henson summed it up beautifully: “Hopefully, people will feel as excited and inspired by our work as I continue to be every day.”
We think visitors are going to love it — whether you're a lifelong Henson fan or discovering these worlds for the first time.

🎟️ Book your tickets now!
And a word of warning for the true fans: allow plenty of time for the gift shop. 😉 There is some serious temptation in there!

📍 QAGOMA, Brisbane
📅 12 September 2026 – 18 April 2027
www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/exhibition/make-believe-magic-the-worlds-of-the-jim-henson-company

💙 Walk for a cause that can change a life.

The Blue Dragon Walk Brisbane is coming to the Shorncliffe foreshore, raising support for children and young people affected by trafficking, slavery, homelessness and exploitation.

https://sandgateguide.com.au/stories/blue-dragon-walk-brisbane/

🚶 Choose from 2km, 5km, 10km, 21km or 42km and walk at your own pace, before gathering for a community barbecue and free sausage sizzle. Families, schools, workplaces, community groups and dogs are all welcome! 🐕💙

The walk supports the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, which has rescued more than 2,000 people from slavery and supported thousands of children and young people through education and family reunification.

📅 Sunday, 13 September from 7am
📍 Decker Park, Brighton

Read more in this month’s Sandgate Guide and find out how you can get involved. 📰💙