Welcome to Cr Helen Abrahams's Website
Helen is the Councillor for The Gabba Ward on Brisbane's inner south-side. She is the Shadow Chairperson of Council's Environment and Sustainability Committee.
Helen, a former medical doctor and former Council officer (Manager of Active Transport), is committed to ensuring Brisbane grows sustainably so that our grandchildren inherit a healthy, clean and green city.
Easter Bonnet Gathering
The East Brisbane Neighbourhood Watch (EBNW) held a great local event in Wilhemina Park, East Brisbane, recently.
This was to celebrate the Mowbraytown history booklet, produced and published by EBNW with funds from The Gabba Ward.
The event also celebrated Easter, and members of Neighbourhood Watch dressed with innovative bonnets for the occasion, but the children's artwork won the day. The activities also included a bonnet parade and an Easter egg hunt.
Mrs Patricia Barnes, the great-granddaughter of the Wilhemina for whom the park was named, attended the event. It was a great occasion
ABOVE: Mrs Patricia Barnes, great-granddaughter of Wilhemina and Rev Thomas Mowbray, in Wilhemina Park, East Brisbane
Good Neighbour Day, Kangaroo Point
Good Neighour Day aims to encourage everyone to get to know their neighbour.
I held a morning BBQ in Raymond Park to celebrate the day. It was a low-key event on the day after the state election, but those who attended enjoyed the event.
Thanks to everyone who helped to organise the day.
The musician used his quitar like a slide guitar and the music was superb.
The criket game was for all ages
Road Closure Celebration
On Sunday 11 March more than 100 people came to celebrate the closure of Riverside Drive.
West End Community House provided the food, and Paul Rees, body corporate member of Regatta Apartments, was master of ceremonies for the day.
Megan Cusack, from West End Veterinary Surgery on Boundary Street, provided the prizes for the dog entries.
Justine, a Community Development Worker with Brisbane City Council, was there to provide information about the flood. The three-legged races were also much fun with children of all ages joining in, but the dog parade was serious business.
The overwhelming mood was one of celebration that hooning and noisy car radios have been banned from this park. 
Some of the dogs and their owners on the parade
To see more photos, including the three-legged race
click here
Musgrave Park Improvements
A few minor improvements to Musgrave Park were completed during the week 5 to 9 March
The seats near the upgraded children's playground were relocated underneath the shady fig trees that make a wonderful, cool, natural shelter.
The lower access gate to the Community Croquet Hall is now functional. A hard surface and ramp was necessary to make sure vehicles had traction. This exit is so much safer than the one at the Glenelg Street intersection.
I am delighted to assist the community with these two projects.
On Friday 9 March, I was invited to attend an International Women’s Day fashion parade conducted by Mercy Family Services and the Romero Centre.
The parade showcased the traditional dresses of many new migrants to Brisbane. Some of the dresses displayed breathtakingly delicate needlework.
ABOVE: This wonderful outfit stole the show. For more photos click here
All Ability Play equipment now in Orleigh Park
The promised all-ability play equipment is now installed in Orleigh Park, West End, so go and check it out. The blue structure, called an Omnispinner, spins (as its name suggests) and provides fun for everyone.
I would be keen to hear what you think about this new part of the park.
The Omnispinner
Clean Up Australia Day 2012
Fifteen volunteers came and helped Premier Anna Bligh and me to remove litter from Kingfisher Creek, East Brisbane. This is a notorious spot for litter! Between us all, we filled 21 bags.
Most of the rubbish was plastic, which is the worst kind of pollutant for Moreton Bay and dangerous for our marine and bird wildlife.
The real surprise was a $50 note found in the mud.
ABOVE: Clean Up Australia Day helper Rohan McErlain with the muddy $50. For more photos click here
Council Grants 2012 Open
Council has annouced the opening of 2012 commuity grants. There are new grants including and Acess and Inclusion Community Partnership Program with a range of $2 000 to $50 000 as well as the regular grants.
I would encourage any community group thinking about applying for a grant to ring Mr Jim Lynch and discuss the proposal before lodging the application. It might the heartache of an unsuccessful application.
For a synopsis of all grants click here
MultiCultural Development Association Celebrates
MDA (MultiCultural Development Association) building at Dilbey Street Woolloongabba is now offically opened. On Friday 17th February they celebrated 10 years of conducting work placement training courses for refugees and migrants. They have trained 1600 refugees in 10 years and approximately 80% found employment after the training. That is a great work. Congratulations everyone involved including the course participants.
MDA CEO Kerrin Benson giving a proud but humble speech at the 10th Anniversary Celebration
Pedestrian Safety Build Outs in Vulture Street, West End
At a cost of $35 000, Council has installed two kerb build outs in Vulture Street so improve the pedestrian safety for students and parents of West End State School when walking or riding to school. The build outs are a result of the lobbying of the Active Travel School committee at West End State School.
The traffic lights at Jane Street and Montague Road are urgently needed to improve the safety and must have priority before any other smaller traffic improvements.
Parent with toddler in stoller tries out the new pedestrian safety device
Buranda State School remains an Active School
On Wednesday 8th February, Buranda State School kick off its second year as an active school with a walk and ride from Panitya Street, Greenslopes.
There were plenty of school children, their siblings and parents and lots of fun and smiles.
Check these smiles
Congratulations everyone including Ms Carmel Newman for organising the day.
Welcome to 2012
I can not believe that January has come and disappeared. It seems to me that everyone really needed a holiday this January and it is only since school went back that everyone is now thinking about what 2012 will bring.
I know the last two weeks will have been distressing to those residents who were flooded just one year ago. I am sure that we are all hoping that the rain this January does not mean floods.
It was disappointing to see so many Australia Day events cancelled. I went to the Cochroach races at the Story Bridge Hotel for the first time. If you have not been it is well worth dropping into to see how those little creatures run and to enjoy the innovative names. If you ask Jane or Richard Deery would be happy to tell you how the day started.
For more photos click here
Buranda State School wins Active Travel School of the Year Award 2011
Mr Simon Vaseo Principal and Ms Carmel Newman from Buranda State School accepted the award on behalf of students and parents of Buranda State School who have embrace the program that encourages the whole school community to walk, cycle, scooter, bus or car pool to school. The counts are conducted every Walking Wheeling Wednesdays but the program seeks to have children actively travelling every day.
Congratulations Buranda State School it is a great acheive with the award being shared with St Kierans School, Brighton.
The winners with wide grins. if you wish to see more photos of the awards night click here
Walk for awareness
On Saturday 5th November, I was delighted to assist with funding for a Walk for Awareness event in Captain Burke Park, Kangaroo Point. Anne Lehmann and friends organised the day to draw attention to mental health issues especially in young men. it was a low key but very supportive day. The funds raised through this event were to go to Men In Construction an organisation to detect and assist people with mental heath problems in the construction industry.
. 
The walkers ready for stretch exercises before starting the walk
Two Wheels to Work
Saturday 5th November saw another local event organised by a passionate young woman and her friends. Angie Reeve and friends held a breakfast BBQ to encourage people to buddy a new cyclist onto their bikes. There were several events and CBD BUG members were there to offer advice and support.
If you are interested in buddy with an experienced rider to gain confidence to become a commuter cyclist, please let me know and I would be happy to link you with someone suitable.
The crowd enjoying talking about cycling and how to make it safer
Launch of Chasing Our History-Stories of Mowbraytown and East Brisbane
Justeen and Geraint Gregory's three year work of love to recreate the stories of people of East Brisbane came to fruition with the launch of their book Chasing Our History-Stories of Mowbraytown and East Brisbane.
Over 100 people attended the event at the Shafston Hotel. Members of the East Brisane Neighbourhood Watch were there to celebrate their support for this wonderful local history project.
Members of East Brsibane Neighbourhood Watch celebrate at the Launch
Sno cones at Boggo Road Market
i did something i had never done before and gave away free sno cones at the new Boggo Road Markets. It was a hot day so the sno cones were in demand. The markets are great so if they are your local markets come and explore Peter Hackworth's new market venture in Bribane.
Angus Sutherland from Anna Blilgh's office helped me with my stall at the markets
What Makes an Auzzie?
The Acting Crazy Theatre Troupe's 2011 performance was held during Mental Health Week at the Sussex Street church hall. Each year the performance grows and improves and the troupe never fail to thoroughly entertain the audience. Micah, Reclink and Centacare all supported this event.
Most of the cast on the stage with tiddly lick frog. If you wish to see more photos click here
King of Coops Skate Gig , The Common, Cooparoo
Saturday 16 September saw the King of Coops Skate Event at the Common, Coorparoo.
Ben Ventruss organised the event which was partly funded by the LMSIF. There was a great atmosphere during the day as parents and friends watched skaters of all ages and skills enjoy the day.
The ramp was crowded
I am working with Council officers to increase the width of the existing half pipe as well as to increase the size of this skate facility.