OMG Decadent Donuts: Former Milton Restauranteur Bounces Back with Vegan Delight

Former Milton restaurant owner David Moore is finding a new and stronger grip in the food business yet again with OMG Decadent Donuts. Eight years after losing Drift Restaurant & Cafe due to the catastrophic Brisbane River flooding of 2011, Mr Moore has been expanding his handcrafted vegan, dairy-free, nut-free and gluten-free doughnut enterprise.

Once just the toast of the Queensland markets, including the regular Milton Markets on Cribb Street,  OMG Decadent Donuts is now available at various food events in Victoria. Plans to set up franchise outlets in other sites across Australia and even New Zealand are also underway. 

For most people, vegan and dairy/gluten-free food usually tastes bland and dry but OMG Decadent Donuts might just shatter your expectations. These snack bites are soft, fluffy and delicate in quality. Speckled with different sugar flavours of your choice and using locally-sourced ingredients, the doughnuts live up to its name as a decadent delight.

“When we first started the business, we struggled with what to call it, and as we cooked donuts and experimented with crafting our beautiful sugars made with fresh fruits and spices, people would bite into them, and with a mouthful of decadent deliciousness, exclaim, ‘Oh My God!’” Mr Moore shared on their Facebook page.

“Our OMG Decadent Donuts are loved by everyone – especially those with dairy, gluten, egg, yeast and nut allergies and particularly by vegans, who can’t get enough of our bundles of love – which not only make our donuts so unique, but our business so incredible.” 

Photo Credit: OMG Donuts/Facebook


Mr Moore humbly started OMG Decadent Donuts with the hope that people would be interested in “buying a few.” But his food concoction picked up massively since its launch a couple of years ago and it has been truly been a big blessing.

After losing Drift, the restaurant which was like a baby to him, Mr Moore admittedly suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He struggled to find his footing and lost confidence in his ability as a food entrepreneur. 

Photo Credit: OMG Donuts/Facebook

Creating OMG Decadent Donuts was indeed a fresh start for Mr Moore. Aside from the successful business model, he is also proud to see people with various food intolerances enjoy his doughnuts. 

“Our donuts are so unique that both Vegan Australia and Coeliac Association of Australia have certified our company,  setting a benchmark for continued quality and excellence.” 



A Fun and Enriching Polish Club Market Day Is Happening in Milton

A veritable bounty of homestyle Polish dishes and delicacies, quirky Polish arts and crafts items, and lively Polish folk music are just some of what you can expect at the Polish Club Market Day in Milton. Taking place on Saturday, the 12th of Oct 2019, this event is a must-see for anyone interested in experiencing and learning about the culture. 

A must-visit event for immigrants who could be missing the old country, Polish Club Market Day will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Hosted by The Polish Club (also known as Polonia) and taking place inside its reception hall at 10 Marie Street, this community event will feature rows of tables filled with authentic Polish goodies that every family member will enjoy.

Photo Credit: The Polish Club/Facebook


From Polish pastries and bread to Polish sausages and the deliciously divine Pierogi (stuffed dumplings filled with potatoes and cheese), you’ll relish the taste and aroma of homemade goods at this market day. Artisans of traditional and colourful Polish handicrafts are also going to showcase their creations like carved wooden boxes, pottery and perhaps a decorative Pisanski egg. 

After shopping treats and goods to take home, stay a while longer to chat with the locals of Polish ancestry. It should be wonderful to exchange stories of your childhood or share experiences about your new way of life in Brisbane. 

The Polish Club has been mounting events like this for years to support a small but strong community. The next Polish Club Market Day will take place on 9th November and 14th December 2019.



XXXX Brewery Milton to Continue Operation, Secures 15-Year Registration Extension

The iconic and historic XXXX Brewery in Milton will continue to operate after it secured a 15-year extension of its current registration. The brewery will also receive protection from civil and criminal proceedings should neighbours complain about nuisance odour and noise.

The State Government has approved the registration extension, a move that it says will secure 150 local jobs.

“I have approved an extension to the current registration, under section 267 of the Planning Act, to allow the brewery to continue to operate,” said Minister for Planning Cameron Dick.

“While I don’t make these decisions lightly, my top priority as Minister is to secure and grow jobs in Queensland,” Mr Dick said.

“This 15-year extension will give certainty to the company, so it can continue to operate into the future within approved limits.

“More importantly, this decision provides certainty to the 150 workers at the brewery, and their families.”

In making the decision, Mr Dick recognises the part that XXXX played in the city’s history.

“This enables Lion to continue operating from the same premises that has been home to XXXX for more than 140 years, by ensuring that existing uses on the site can continue, even as the area experiences growth intensification,” he said.

Mr Dick also said that it is important to make sure that significant uses such as the XXXX brewery can continue to exist even with the resurgence in inner-city living.

“In more recent years Milton has seen an increase in new residential and commercial buildings and the urban encroachment registration is about confirming the expectations for the brewery and residents and tenants in the surrounding area,” he said.

The minister called the decision a balanced and reasonable outcome for all parties.



Addressing Environmental Impact Issues

Despite the extended protection, Ian Roberts, Lion Group’s Supply Chain Director, insists that the brewery is committed to reducing its carbon footprint.

Mr Roberts said that they have spent millions of dollars since 2009 to minimise the brewery’s environmental impact.

“Just a few weeks ago we completed a $2 million solar project, which will reduce our annual carbon emissions by 1260 tonnes,” Roberts said.

“We have also significantly reduced our already low noise and light emissions, all of which are well within the limits allowed under our development consents, in order to continue being great neighbours.

“20 years ago, Milton looked very different to how it does today. Previously it had been an industrial epicentre, but its proximity to the Brisbane CBD made it the perfect location for high-density residential developments” added Roberts.

Previously, XXXX Brewery Milton faced labour disputes as employees staged strikes as they worried about job security.

Understand and Manage Endometriosis at this Women’s Health Workshop in Milton

A wellness workshop on endometriosis will be taking place in Milton to help women understand and manage this common women’s health issue. If you experience this painful and challenging condition, you could benefit from joining the event with specialist naturopath Katherine Maslen.

Taking place at the Brisbane Natural Health on Baroona Road, the Endometriosis Workshop will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, the 13th of June 2019. Members of the clinic can join the workshop for free but a $25 admission fee for non-members will be collected.



Ms Maslen will discuss proper diet and foods to avoid to manage endometriosis. She will also talk about the benefits of natural therapies to help with this condition as well as outline the options available for women.  

Photo Credit: melkhageslag/Pixabay

According to Endometriosis Australia, some 730,000 Australian women experience endometriosis once their reproductive years begin. Diagnosis and treatments are often delayed by as much as 12 years since most women aren’t aware of the symptoms.



Endometriosis may be the reason for a woman’s painful menstrual cycle, excessive bleeding, pain during intercourse, pelvic inflammatory disease, and ovarian cysts. The symptoms vary per women and might sometimes be confused as part of the menstrual cycle. When left untreated or unmanaged, endometriosis could lead to complications like infertility issues or cancer.

Turn Your Kitchen Scraps into Compost at the New Milton Composting Hub

A composting hub has been added to Milton Community Garden’s growing community hub.

Milton Community Garden has been successful in bringing the community together as it offers a space for locals to gather and cultivate their collective green thumbs.

Photo credit: Milton Community Garden, Brisbane QLD/Facebook

The long-awaited Milton composting hub of the community garden was sponsored by the Brisbane City Council. Several caddies are now available throughout the area. The scheduled caddy collection for Milton is from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. every second Sunday of the month.

The Milton Community Garden is accessible to the local community, including the suburbs of Milton, Auchenflower, Rosalie, and Paddington. With its location just behind the Milton State School, the community garden fosters engagement with the students from the school.

Photo credit: Milton Community Garden, Brisbane QLD/Facebook

Local residents can get fresh produce from the garden and can even drop by to help out in turning the compost bins to speed up the breakdown of the organic waste into compost.

Aside from the growing garden and composting hub, the Milton Community Garden also includes a community library where locals can borrow books for free.

Photo credit: Milton Community Garden, Brisbane QLD/Facebook

To learn more about the Milton Community Garden and how to become a volunteer, you may visit their Facebook page or email them at communitygardenmilton@gmail.com.

Looking for other places where you can get fresh farm produce? You can explore the vast food and produce options at the Milton Markets every Sunday morning.



5-Star W Hotel Soon to Open in Brisbane CBD

The long wait is over. W Hotels finally brings Brisbane’s first five-star hotel in two decades to North Quay, Brisbane City.

The influential hotel brand has announced the grand opening of W Brisbane, and residents are eagerly anticipating their opening on the 1st of June 2018.

Photo credit: WBrisbane/Facebook

W Hotels, which is owned by Marriott International,  boasts 44 hotels and retreats all over the world. Twenty years ago, it was Marriott Hotel that brought a glimpse of luxurious hotel living to Brisbane’s affluent set and its fashion, music, and entertainment scene.

With 312 rooms, most of which will have picturesque river views, the latest trendy hotel to hit Brisbane will feature high-class, five-star accommodations.

Luxurious Amenities

Thirty-two suites are available for those with dollars to burn, including two luxe spaces called the “Wow Suite” and the “Extreme Wow Suite.” The latter is W’s version of the top-of-the-line Presidential Suite of other hotel brands.

To provide a full pampered luxury experience, every guest gets a chance to experience the famous W Hotels’ Whatever/Whenever Philosophy. All guests get to access any services or amenities they want, whenever they want.

Photo credit: WBrisbane/Facebook

Every corner of the hotel spells class and grandeur with its designer interiors inspired by Queensland’s heritage and Brisbane’s laidback lifestyle.

Photo credit: WBrisbane/Facebook

The hotel’s spacious 595-square-metre ballroom floor will surely make a major impact on Brisbane’s events and entertainment scene. The venue can accommodate up to 450 guests with pomp and panache.

Local foodies have another reason to be excited. Three Blue Ducks will be coming to Brisbane as the hotel’s signature restaurant. Promising “fresh, local and honest cuisine showcasing bold flavours and colours,” Three Blue Ducks will offer ethically produced, farm-to-fork food, memorable coffee experiences, carefully curated local craft beers, a well-selected line-up of wines and original cocktails.

Photo credit: WBrisbane/Facebook

W Brisbane is now accepting reservations Bookings can be made through their website.

Milton Brewery Workers Organize a Strike to Protest Against Management

Commonwealth Games risks losing XXXX supplies as the Milton-based brewery’s workers plan to walk off their jobs on Monday, the 26th of March to protest against job insecurity.

XXXX, a Queensland trademark,  is the official beer of the games, which begin on 4 April 2018.

Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons

Struggling brewery workers have been worried over job security as nearly a third of their workforce has been laid off during the past few years.

XXXX Brewery’s name stands for the traditional grading for strong beer, where the number of X’s indicates beer strength. It made noise in recent years due to providing insecure careers to its employees. Nearly 40 workers have lost their jobs.

Photo credit: XXXX Brewery

The current workers are not going to let themselves suffer the same fate. Around 100 workers are going to strike just in time to threaten XXXX supplies on the much-awaited Commonwealth Games.

United Voice Queensland’s spokesperson Damien Davie has made it clear what the protest will be about.

“We want everyone to be able to drink XXXX while they’re enjoying the Commonwealth Games,” he said. “But management needs to come to the table, or they’ll risk disrupting beer supply at this important time.”

However, both Commonwealth Games’ and Brewery’s management are unbothered by the threat.

According to games chairman Peter Beattie, the organizers “have a lot of faith that XXXX will be able to provide.”

Brewery director Irene Bell expressed her disappointment over the strike. She claimed that it would not affect supply for the games.

She also brushed off the allegations that XXXX is being produced outside Queensland. “Let me say this again – XXXX was born here, it’s brewed here, and the brewery is not going anywhere.”

Brewsvegas 2018: Meet Emily, the Koala, at Milton’s The Scratch

The Scratch is pouring heaps of love for Australia’s symbolic animal, the koala, in this year’s Brewsvegas.

Head over to the bar on Saturday 10 March, for Fair Dinkum, an event to raise funds and awareness for conservation efforts and get to meet Emily, the koala.

The Scratch is collaborating with IKPS-Ipswich Koala Protection Society to make Fair Dinkum possible.

Expect a range of special beers made from indigenous Australian ingredients and outstanding flavours from Brisbane Brewing Co and Archer Brewing. Plant-based baked goods will also be served on the day. Guests can enjoy all these whilst supporting a worthy cause.

Meet and Greet

The highlight of the event is the meet and greet with one of the koalas under the care of IKPS. When IKPS found Emily, she was merely 515 grams. Now, she’s healthier at 2.5 kg.

Emily will be at the bar to help people learn about the need for local conservation.

Through a Karma Keg, The Scratch and IKPS hope to raise funds to support the work being done by the koala rescue group.

IKPS works 24/7 to rescue and protect koalas needing help, including those injured, orphaned or sick koalas in Ipswich and surrounding areas. Learn more about IKPS and the work they do.

South Australian Pint of Origin

Photo credit: Brewsvegas/Facebook

Aside from the Fair Dinkum party, The Scratch is also participating in this year’s Pint of Origin. The celebrated festival within a festival is back for its second year to feature beer from the different states.

The Scratch on Park Road will be featuring beers from deep Down Under. During Brewsvegas, from 10-18 March, the bar will showcase the best of South Australian beer, cider, cheeses.

Brewsvegas 2018 is happening all across Brisbane. Check out the Brewsvegas website to see the other events during the festival.

Milton Business Lets Locals Discover Brisbane on eBike

The gorgeous riverside views and the weather make Brisbane a perfect place to explore the outdoors. One business in Milton is letting locals and tourists see and experience the sights of the river city while riding an ebike.

eBike Hire Brisbane, located at 26 Douglas Street in Milton, provides quality ebikes for those who wish to go around Brisbane on their choice of ebike. Riders can choose from fast and sporty ebikes, cruisy and comfortable, or electric mountain bikes.

Test Ride

The ebike hire is ideal for people planning or thinking of purchasing an ebike to use for their regular commute. By temporarily hiring the alternative vehicle, they can test it for comfort and ease of use. It should also be a good time to test which type of ebike would suit them best.

If they get to like the ebikes they are riding, customers can arrange with the store to build them the ebike they prefer.

Before hiring an ebike, it would be good to know Queensland rules concerning bicycles. Ebikes, just like bicycles, are allowed on dedicated cycle paths and footpaths, unless signposted otherwise.

Photo credit: Electric Bikes Brisbane/Facebook

To learn more about rules surrounding bicycles, read the Queensland bicycle and safety laws.

Where to Go

The ebike can take riders to any point from the retail outlet up to around 60 km. For farther rides, cyclists can pedal or bring a charger and find a place to recharge.

The Milton retail outlet is situated close to South Bank and the inner city markets. Cyclists can explore places such as Mount Coot-tha Lookout and be rewarded with outstanding views of the city.

Photo credit: Electric Bikes Brisbane/Facebook

An ebike hire can also take bring the cyclist to the Lone Pine Koala Sancturary, which should take around 30-40 minutes from Milton.

Riders can also explore the many points of interest around the inner city. They can head over to Paddington or Newstead to get a closer look at their heritage places. They can also cross the river to take in the views from Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

Find out more about the ebike hire opportunity.

Milton Markets Turns Festive with Christmas on Cribb

Shopping for Christmas gifts and goodies can be stressful. That’s why it’s always a relief to know that there are better alternatives to heading to malls packed with holiday shoppers.

Photo credit: Milton Markets/Facebook

Milton Markets is once again bringing Christmas on Cribb on Thursday 21 December 2017, from 4:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

Milton Markets will provide shoppers and visitors with a festive market that will have everything they need and want for Christmas.

Event Details

What: Christmas on Cribb
When: Thursday 21 December 2017
4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Where: Milton Markets
47 Cribb Street, Milton

Milton Markets open every Sunday, offering premium food, the freshest farm-direct produce, meats, gourmet food, arts and crafts and many more. It’s always a perfect weekend market for the whole family, filled with live music and fun activities for kids.

Photo credit: Milton Markets/Facebook

Christmas on Cribb will be extra special as it will give everyone a festive venue to find unique holiday items, Christmas decorations and artisan gifts that are definitely one of a kind.

Market goers can get in the holiday mood with live entertainment throughout the summer afternoon until night time. There will be festive foods, fresh produce and delectable sweets. Kids can enjoy activities and entertainment made just for them.

Parking should not be a problem as there will be lots of parking spaces to be made available on the day.

Find out more about Milton Markets.

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