General News
28 March, 2026
40 years of retail
SMITHFIELD Shopping Centre is marking 40 years since opening in 1986.
A full day of 40th anniversary community celebrations was held on Thursday last week, with live entertainment, family activities, nostalgic experiences and exclusive throwback offers.
Centre marketing manager Jodie Scurrah said since opening its doors in 1986, the centre had evolved from a local shopping destination into a vibrant community hub where generations of Far North Queenslanders had built lasting memories and connections.
“For 40 years, Smithfield has been woven into the fabric of daily life on the northern beaches,” she said.
“It’s where people had their first jobs, met friends for coffee, celebrated milestones and built routines that became traditions.
“This celebration was our way of saying thank you to the community and retailers who’ve made Smithfield what it is today.”
Activities included free face painting, arts and crafts, colouring activities and giant games, alongside anniversary displays showcasing Smithfield’s transformation over four decades.
A highlight of the day was the 1986 price rollback, with participating food retailers offering selected $2 menu items including coffee, sushi rolls, hot chips and bubble tea.
There was a commemorative cake cutting and the sealing of a 40-year time capsule, which preserves community memories, photos and stories submitted by locals to be reopened at the centre’s 50th anniversary in 2036.
Ms Scurrah said it was now home to more than 100 retailers and a central community hub.
Centre manager Maria Dalziel said Smithfield had evolved significantly over 40 years, “but what hasn’t changed is its role as a place where our community connects”.
“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone with the people who have been part of our journey and continue to make the centre what it is today,” she said.
