What’s Hip this May

How to say ‘I love you’

TREAT the leading women in your life to an unforgettable experience at Brisbane’s oldest European-style residential property. Indulge in a Mother’s Day High Tea on the veranda of Newstead House, overlooking the Brisbane River. Boasting a reputation for hosting lavish parties dating to 1846, Newstead House will once again open its doors on Sunday, May 11, following a three-year, $5.5 million restoration project. This year’s high tea has two sittings at 10am and 1pm. Guests can enjoy two hours of the finer things in life, with a glass of sparkling on arrival. Savoury treats include zucchini and haloumi fritters with smoked salmon and crème fraiche, roasted Mediterranean vegetable quiches and ribbon sandwiches. Sweet treats include pink lamingtons, chocolate tarts, macadamia and caramel slice, lemon curd tarts and scones. Tickets are $109 per person and pre-booking is essential at newsteadhouse.com.au/mothers-day-high-tea/

What to book

FANCY some flamenco dancers with a 10-course share-style tapas lunch at Maroochydore’s Toro Bar and Kitchen? How about a Farm to Fork lunch featuring celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita at Yandina Station? Or maybe take a seat at the Celebrate Glasshouse Country Long Lunch in a lychee orchard at Yanalla Farms, Beerwah, with second-generation farmers Robert and Karen Martin (pictured)? A fire-cooked feast and pottery glazing class, anyone? Perhaps the Beers, Boots & Bulls at Your Mates’ country-style dinner party with smoked meats, cold brews, and mechanical bull action is more your speed? These are all part of the 60-plus events in the annual celebration of everything Sunshine Coast: The Curated Plate food and drink festival, from July 25 to August 3. Buy tickets at thecuratedplate.com.au

What to read

BRISBANE author, artist, corporate trainer and documentary maker Vicki Bennett has written 30 books, and last month launched her latest novel:  The Letters. “Most families have secrets – but mine held one that took a decade to unravel,” she says. “After my grandfather passed away, hidden letters from a French woman emerged, revealing that when he returned home to Australia after World War I, he left behind a family in Europe.” The result is a gripping story of adventure, passion and generational healing. In 1973, Ruby Scott, a 21-year-old uni student, discovers her grandfather James Scott’s hidden history when tasked with delivering letters to a mysterious French woman. Her journey to uncover the truth takes an unexpected turn when she is transported to war-torn 1917. As Ruby forms a bond with a Resistance fighter and meets her young grandfather serving in the trenches, she learns how trauma shapes lives and legacies. Visit vickibennett.com

Back in the day…

SCREAMING, tartan-wearing teens climbed the wire fence at Brisbane Airport to get the first look at their idols in the flesh when Rollermania came to town in 1975. The Bay City Rollers played Festival Hall on December 8 that year. The classic line-up of the boys from Edinburgh was guitarists Eric Faulkner and Stuart Wood, singer Les McKeown, bassist Alan Longmuir and his younger brother Derek Longmuir on drums. The band sold 120 million records and conquered the UK, US, Australia and Japan. Teen hysteria followed them everywhere. Hits included Bye Bye Baby and Remember (Sha-La-La-La). The group imploded when McKeown left in 1978. Bitter court battles over money they should have been paid dragged on for many years.

Image: AAP

Who to see live

CATCH the hits of legendary Aussie singer-songwriter-musician Russell Morris live one last time on August 22 at the QPAC Concert Hall during The Farewell Tour. Morris is set to hang up his hat and guitar after 58 hectic years of vans, hotels, auditoriums, pubs, clubs, planes, late nights, early starts, rehearsal rooms, backstage jams and meals on the run. He is renowned for his unique blend of rock, blues and pop influences that have resonated across generations. Morris first captured the Australian music scene’s attention in the 1960s with his now-signature song The Real Thing. His rich catalogue of songs includes Sweet, Sweet Love, Wings of an Eagle and Hush. For tickets, visit qpac.com.au/whats-on/2025/russell-morris