Welcome to Cr Helen Abrahams Website
Helen is the Councillor for The Gabba Ward on Brisbane's inner southside. She is the Shadow Chairperson of Council's Environment and Sustainability Committee.
A former Medical Doctor and Council Officer, Helen is committed to ensuring Brisbane grows sustainably, so that our grandchildren inherit a healthy, clean and green city.
World Refugee Day - 28 June 2009
World Refugee Day celebrations at Annerley Soccer Club was a tremendous sucess with thousands of people coming to watch the soccer tournament and wonderful dancing and singing on the two stages.
"It was a day to show just how multi-cultural Australia has become". said Cr Abrahams.
The blend of strong cultures, great food and everyone enjoying a sunny day was certain to make the day a success.
Burundi drummers taking their drums to the stage
more photos may be seen here
Buranda Primary School's 2009: A Space Odyssey Fete
Sunday 19 July, 10am - 3pm
Featuring
Scientist and Channel Nine Shak regular Dr Joel Gilmore
Science fiction writers Louise Cusack and Trent Jamieson
Trekkies and tribbles
Inter-galactic rides
ET’s side-show alley
Star Wars and other second-hand books
Klingon face painting & homemade cakes with coffee
Back to the future clothes by the bagful
Astronaut sausages and entertainment from the far side of the universe
And of course – Lots of Aliens!
Coorparoo Secondary College Riverfest 2009 was held on 25-26th June.
Friday Night celebrations were a great success in spite of spitting rain
The evening events were the festive conclusion of a two day expo at the College for students of local Primary Schools to workshop studies relating to the School of Excellence for Marine Studies Vision for the school.
Ms Jenny Harrison ready to be dunked at the Riverfest celebrations at Coorparoo Secondary College
Launch of The Pocket Community Garden, Woolloongabba
Sunday 14 June 2009
About 50 adults and 20 kids worked and played all day to create the garden beds for The Pocket Community Garden at Preston Street, Woolloongabba along the banks of Norman Creek
After months of discussion and planning, The Pocket community were one of two community gardens funded by Council this year. A last minute hitch regarding public liability insurance was solved by Damien Maddern from Norman Creek Catchment Co ordination Committee agreeing to auspice The Pocket Community Garden. Congratulations N4C.
It was a great day with a task for everyone and a live band to lighten the work load.
Congratulations to Clytie, Roo and Bren who arranged the launch in two weeks once the insurance problem was solved.
Everyone at work preparing the 'No dig' garden
For more photos click here
Launch of "Its all about attitude" Art Show
Two well known West End artists Denise Dillon Bolland and Glennys Briggs are showing their work at The Circle Art Gallery, 274 Montague Road till Firday 19 June 2009
It is well worth dropping and having a look at their remarkable work
Ian Muir, Denise Bolland, Helen Abrahams and Glynnis Briggs at the launch
African Seniors Club Office opening
The African Seniors Club has located to 25 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane
Club members are Africans from many different countries who wish to assist new Africans as well as contribute their skills and experience to the Austalian community .
Cr Abrahams attended the launch of the Office on Saturday 13th June and had wide ranging discussions on the role of the Club and possible community projects
African Senior Club members with Helen Abrahams
From left to right Andre Kabamba, Congo; Dipo Kolade, Nigeria; Allen Modi, Tanzania; Joe- ti Acheapong, Ghana; Njau Gittu, Kenya; John Okello, Uganda.
Greenfest a great success
Thousands of people came to Greenfest on the June long weekend to soak up information on how to live a more sustainable life.
The stalls, the discussions, the food and the music made learning an enjoyable experience.
Cartoonist Barry shows the most frequent suggestion for water saving in Brisbane
It was a glorious day To view more photos click here
West End Riverside Master Plan consultation
Council has released the Draft West End Riverside Master Plan for consultation.
Two information sessions have been arranged for
Thursday, 4 June 2009
6.00 pm and 7.30 pm
South Leagues Club, Davies Park
Detailed plans of the improvements from Orleigh Park to Davies Park are attached for your convenience.
I am delighted that many of the recommendations of local workshop of Hill End residents have been incorporated into the Master Plan. I welcome your comments and criticisms of the Draft Plan.
To view plans click here Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 3 and Riverside Drive Closure Plan
Pedestrian Safety Mebourne Street, South Brisbane
Members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union were handing out a flier to pedestrians at Melbourne Street alerting them to the safety hazards of this intersection on Tuesday 25th May 2009
The pedestrian deaths and accidents at this intersection is unacceptable. I have written to Cr Quirk seeking urgent action to improve the safety at this intersection.
Day of Difference at Coorparoo Secondary College
Saturday 23rd May was Day of Difference Working Bee at Coorparoo Secondary College
There were about 100 people from the school community and Rivers Community Church sloshing around in puddles and mud to plant new trees, trim and thin existing plants and mulch the garden beds. The lads from Cooparoo Secondary College made sure the work was fun.
Students and River Church community members hard at work moving mulch
Torbreck Jubliee - 1959-2009
Premier Anna Bligh and Cr Helen Abrahams attended the Launch of www.trobreck.com.au Website on Saturday 23rd May.
The website launch is part of of the Torbreck Jubilee 1959-2009 celebrations. The guests were entertained by Laurie Manitzky's singing his ballard Torbreck Song . Andrea Higgins created the website which features her photographs of this iconic building, and also documents its architectural features.
Residents were pleased to note the celebration of 50 years of Torbreck and the State of Queensland's 150 celebration in the same year.
Sue Lauer and Lsley Singe (Jubileee Committee), and Merlene Johnston (Director Torbreck Home Units. Lesley is the driving force behind Torbreck Jubilee 1959-2009
Cr Abrahams and Andrea Higgins in frong of one of her photographs of Torbreck
City Plan
Have you ever thought there should be tougher controls in place to guide better looking development, better environment design of buildings, or to stop inappropriate development in your suburb? If this is the case, the current City Plan review provides you an opportunity to have a say.
I provide a link to a summary document with a submission form attached. The closing date for submissions in 25th May and they may be sent to City Plan Review, BCC, Box 1434, Brisbane Q 4001 or email it to me at thegabba.ward@ecn.net.au and I’ll forward it on.
To view the city plan Click Here
69 Thomas Street Festival
The five community organisations housed at 69 Thomas Street celebrated being a self reliant solar enegy power house on Saturday 9th May.
With the help of grants from Brisbane City Council, Cr Helen Abrahams, the house has a new roof, insultation under the roof, solar hot water service and photovoltaics on the roof. A electric lift makes the house fully accessable.
Supporters, staff, friends and clients attended the formal opening which was held in the front yard. The Local Power group was keep busy all day telling people about photovoltaics. The stalls included Fairtrade, Housing Cooperative and two mental health support groups and the reading and writing group.
The guests, staff and participants hearing about the sustainable features of Thomas Street
West End Stories at Library
The West End Library staff invited their readers to West End Stories on Saturday morning on 9th May. Darryl Bellingham helped with the story tellers who included Mrs Claire Bateman, Malcolm Campbell from West End Community House and Susan Holman, the artist who gave West End its goanna.
The conclusion of the day was a highlight with Denise Bolland, local artist and social documentor presented the West End Library with a self published bound copy of Expo 88 Revisited. This book is a compliation of newspaper articles, stories from local individuals, photos and art work portraying the exictions of people from their homes to provide the land for Expo 88.
Darryl Bellingham - West End story teller; Mary Maher, President West End Community House, Denis Bolland , author and proudly showing the book Expo 88 Revisited.
For more photos click here
John Drakos - Yiannis Drakakis
1913 - 2009
Mr John Drakos lived in West End for most of his 96 years and was a valuable member of the Greek Community. The story of his life was related in the Eulogy and a booklet handed out at to the 500 people who attended his funeral.
I am sure many West End residents would like to read Yiannis Drakakis's story as it is truely remarkable and similar to the lives of many of Greek migrants who settled in Queensland and West End
To view Eulogy Click Here
To view Church Booklet Click Here
The East Brisbane Croquet Club
The East Brisbane Croquet Club hosted a weekend tournament for Queensland croquet players on Saturday, Sunday and Monday 2-4 May 2009. The best of SEQ players competed.
These grounds are a wonderfully tranquil space for a quiet game of croquet.
The club encourages new players and groups to come along and learn golf croquet - croquet for beginners.
Greg practicing prior to the tourament
Club members sharing morning tea and entricing Cr Abrahams to the joys of Croquet
Report on Special Council Meeting held Friday 24 April 2009
The Lord Mayor's decision to award the management of the West End Flea Market to Blue Sky Events was made when Council was in recess and so it was not open to scrutiny by Opposition Councillors. Therefore, Labor Councillors called a Special Council Meeting.
A protest meeting was held instead as the Special Council meeting was delayed for one day. Approximately 100 people attended at 24 hours notice to support a motion to reject the Lord Mayor's decision.
The following day during the Special Council meeting, Councillors heard the concerns of local residents and a number of questions were asked about the process. Disappointingly, the Lord Mayor did not answer any questions raised by myself or other Labor Councillors.
Blue Sky management have advised that they do not propose any changes but they will review the current managment practices in 8 weeks time. However, reducing the footprint of the market and introducing a standard fee structure have been muted. Both will have flow on effects on the market.
Staller holders and local residents protesting at the City Hall. For more photos Click Here
West End Library celebrates its 80 Birthday Party
Writer David Malouf was the quest speaker at the 80th Birthday party of West End Libraryon Saturday 4th April 2009. David kept the room, which was filled to capacity, enthralled as he recalled his childhood in Edmondstone Street
Other photographs may be viewed by clicking here
Locals getting input into planning of Riverside Park closure
On Saturday 4th April, 25 residents from Forbes and Drury Streets, Hill End Terrace and Early Lane attended a workshop held by Cr Helen Abrahams in the Stocklwell's staff mess room to discuss future traffic movements in their streets when Riverside Drive is closed at Forbes Street, Hill End.
" I was amazing to see that the majority of tables came to much the same conclusions" said Cr Abrahams
“The residents propose that Forbes Street becomes one way towards the River and there was little support of any additional car parking, the angle parking along Hill End Terrace and Forbes Street was not supported." said Helen
Local residents looking at their proposals at the end of the day
To view a copy of the Summary of the Riverside Drive Closure Meeting Click Here
Greek Independence Day Celebrations
The community of St George Greek Orthodox Community celebrated Greek Independence Day - 25th March 1821.
The church service was followed by formal wreath laying and then a concert of Greek dancers, Spiros Rantos music ensemble, poetry, plays and songs
The Hellenic Dancers just before they performed
Planning day a success
On Saturday 28th March 75 people attended a planning workshop organised by Cr Helen Abrahams so they can continue to provide input into the South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan.
"Local residents requested further input into the planning process than commenting on the Vision Statement" said Cr Abrahams.
It was a successful day with plenty of lively discussion and great ideas coming forward.
There was plenty of discussion and use of the Lego Blocks
Click here for feedback from the workshop
The launch of Passion and Perservance: a history of Kurilpa Community Child Care Centre
Mr Clive Hughes, former MP for West End, launched the booklet Passion and Perservance: a history of Kurilpa Community Child Care Centre on Friday 13th March at Kurilpa Hall - the site where the child care centre started in 1944.
It was a fabulous night with everyone exchanging their memories of the child care centre.
Don Dickie and his sister Pam Bourke came to celebrate their grandmother's involvement in the Union of Australian Women and in establishing the centre.
Members of the UAW, historians, current and former parents all celebrated the work of Corrie Macdonald, the instigator and deliver of this project; Lesley Jenkins, the author; Geoff Ginn, UofQ and many others to find the funds and produce the booklet.
It is for sale from the Kurilpa Child care Centre for $10 - a bargain.
Debbie Yates, ex Co-director; Corrie Macdonald, Lesley Jenkins, author and Geoff Ginn and his children being recognised for their work
For more photos click Here
Cr Abrahams is now placing photos of significant Development Applications on this site. More details can be found under Development Applications
4-12 Trafalgar Street and 825-846 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba
The development A002110701 is for short term accommodation, comercial, retail and restaurants. The site is opposite the Gabba Cricket Grounds.
Three buildings are proposed being 17 stories of commercial/retail uses, 14 stories being short term accommodation commercial/restaurant and retail and four stories being retail, hotel and restaurant
There is provision for 405 car spaces , 11 motorbikes and secure bike parking. A traffic engineering report, Stormwater Management Plan are submitted with the Plan
321 Montague Road, West End
The development application for 321 Montague Road, West End is for five buildings accommodating 424 units comprised of 154 studio units, 140 one bed, 11 one bed and study, 109 two beds and 10 three bedroom units.
The building heights are 7 storey, 8 storey and three storeys.
569 car spaces, 146 bike spaces and 12 motorcycle bays are proposed.
It is proposed that BERs rating of 7.5 and 8 stars and 4 star Green Star will be achieved.
The Woolloongabba Centre Neighbourhood Plan
To view a copy of the Plan click Here
For more information on The Woolloongabba Centre Neighbourhood Plan visit
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE:677274847:pc=PC_3082
Brisbane Writers on Show in Stones Corner
Two Brisbane actors will perform their celebration of local Brisbane writers for free at the Stones Corner Library at 10.00 am on Friday 29th May.
Road Closure delivers new Parkland for Woolloongabba
Council has released the plans for new parkland at Woolloongabba.
Residents win Dog Off Leash Area for Hill End
Mr Todd Levi’s address in the Council Chamber was so compelling that Council will install a new dog off leash area at Hill End.
Misguided Decision for West End Markets
The Lord Mayor’s decision to appoint a Sydney based company to manage and operate the West End Markets could lead to the death of the markets as we know them, says Councillor for The Gabba Ward Helen Abrahams.
Strong message for no high rise in West End
Local residents gave Councillor Helen Abrahams, The Gabba Ward, a strong message for what they wanted to see in the South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan at a public planning workshop last Saturday.