Australia Zoo lives on one year after Steve Irwin passing.

The shows still go on, the animals are still all there, conservation continues. Interestingly, son Bob appears unable to say Echidna. It probably is a hard word.

Visiting the zoo over the weekend awareness of the anniversary was subtle. Only under the Crocoseum were there memorials. These though were quite extensive.

Given its only an hour or so north of the CBD (excluding Friday afteroon traffic where that applies to Kedron) its well worth the journey.

Today unbelievably is the sixth anniversary of September 11.

While the anniversary itself probably means little to most of us comfortably living in Brisbane it does to many others in New York and the USA as a whole.

One in eight of the rescue workers has now been impacted by post traumatic stress. The figures have actually increased from the first year or two following the events.

Recently New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene have published a website to assist. The site provides information and services for people impacted by the events of September 11.

Scientific information includes detail regarding considerable increase in respiratory illness. This is related to exposure to the dust cloud that swamped the city.

It is worth considering how much the world has changed in the years since. Massive hikes in security at airports, regular advertisements regarding national security for example.
Interestingly now many of us actually know the National Security Hotline. I recall even politicians being asked and not knowing the number despite it being one of the simplest freecall numbers in existence: 1800 123 400.

Yesterday six years ago the US hurried as normal in consumerism, as ever before in ignorant bliss. At the same time there were terrorists about to hijack aircraft in an attempt to kill as many as possible. Certainly part of the plan was to be spectacular.

One hopes that Australia never becomes a New York or even a London.

"I stayed because I felt I had obligations to Queenslanders in relation to issues of health, the water grid and obviously council amalgamations,” Mr Beattie said during a press conference today announcing his retirement.

This obviously is only part of the speech, but it is an interesting perspective given the problems experienced in health over the past few years.

Unless I am otherwise mistaken the council amalgamations are still not certain - even the federal government stepping in recently. Maybe its the rain from last night that makes the Premier think the water crisis is resolved.

Anyway, maybe daylight savings can be seriously considered.

Enjoy retirement.

Emergency Services Ambulance style is on show today at Chermside.

The “ambos” are having an open day. Showing off their wares and probably opening the general public eyes to what happens in a standard shift. There has though been assurances a standard shift is a myth.

Chermside station is located at 538 Hamilton Road, Chermside.

A sausage sizzle will be underway during open day hours of 9am to 2pm.

Possibly the most famous great tennor, Luciano Pavarotti has passed at the age of 71 into the kingdom of eternal song.

Pavarotti was part of the bringing of opera to the masses.

Prior to his time there certainly was no staium filling appearances from singers of his style, this was reserved for “real stars” who had hit singles and then moved on in their lives. Maybe that is a slightly jaded view of the popular music scene, in any case, Pavarotti did change opera in a signficant manner.

Lining up with Spanish stars Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras, first at the 1990 soccer World Cup saw an audience otherwise interested changed. This global audience at the time almost nudged a billion viewers.

The great singer had surgery for pancreatic cancer mid 2006. The disease ultimately claimed his life. 

Out of the blue Brisbane has become home to the largest property parcel in Australia as almost 85,000 square metres of commercial office space has gone on the market.

The three tower Central Plaza, currently owned by QIC has been listed and is expected to reach around $900M

Prices are buoyed by extremely tight rental markets with vacancy rates nearing 1 percent.

Central Plaza One is currently home to Macquarie Bank, AAMI, St George Bank, Freehills and the ATO over its 45 levels. Central Plaza Two provides space for QIC itself in addition to McCullough Robertson and Cooper Grace Ward in 29 levels.

QIC has owned the properties since 1989 and 2004 respectively with an original purchase total of $314M.

Global Real Estate chief Laurie Brindle said the decision to sell was strategic.

The company is expected to continue to invest in Queensland and Brisbane. Not surprising given the almost 600M windfall if the sale reaches expected valuations.