Norman Creek bike
What a bike. It has come directly from Norman Creek and locked to the Active and Healthy Park sign in Heath Park. It has oyster shells growing on the handle bars, seat facing the wrong direction and mud everywhere
St Ita's wins the Golden Boot Award for October
On Friday 12 November, St Ita's Primary School was presented the Golden Boot Award by Cr Helen Abrahams as they had the greatest number of pupils travel to school by bus in October in all the 21 participating schools in Brisbane. Road Star was in attendance to congratulate the pupils and he was as popular as the prize of a free ticket to a film for every pupil.
The role of parents to encouraging their children to use active travel modes was recognised with Mr James Sowry receiving the Golden Boot. Congratulations everyone.
Stacey Hall and Roadstar congratulate the St Ita's community
Buranda State School wins Active Travel School of the Year Award 2011
Mr Simon Vaseo Principal and Ms Carmel Newman 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 winnners with wide grins. If you wish to see more photos click here
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
Pocket Community Garden World Food Day Celebration
The members of the Pocket Community Garden came together to celebrate World Food Day.
I screen printed a cloth bag and enjoy wonderful food cooked on site highlighting the wonderful vegetables from the garden. The garden is well cared for and the range of vegetables and fruit trees is very impressive. Well done everyone
Here was lots of activities in the park on the day. For more photos click here
Kurilpa Derby
The Kuripa Derby has now become one of the annual events in West End. More than 2000 people participated or watched the antics of residents on bikes, scooters, bathtubs, highchairs, rickshaws and lounge chairs enjoy impromtu races up Boundary Street on Sunday 4th September.
The Coffee race (carrying a bag of coffee), the squid relay (the squid must be carried in your mouth and passed onto the next team member) and the more leisurely cocktail race were all part of the day. Jenny Pineapple and I were champions at saving that alcohol.
Congratulations Darren, Selena, Adrian and Kerrod and WECA and WETA for orgnaising the event. I was proud to fund it once again this year.
Wonderwoman MC, Auntie Mulinjarie and Jenny Pineapple at the Derby
For all of my photos click here
Kangaroo Point Missing Link Boardwalk Opening
On Tuesday 12 Juy, Mr Richard Fulcher and I officially opened the boardwalk in front of Yungaba.
Christa and John Gerard have lobbied for the boardwalk. The Kangaroo Point Heritage Walk was prepared with the board walk open so everyone can have the best view of the Heritage Building
Dennis Collyer, Faye Barnes & Lynne Eaton
Cr Helen Abrahams, Carol Cochrane who walked from East Brisbane & Richard Fulcher
Christina Vun, Kay and David Rees
Buranda State School Fete Photos
Mr Saveo waiting for a wet sponge to be thrown at his face
A Portriat artist was kept busy all day and everyone entertained
The school's resident musicians, wheeleR, keep eveyone entertained -
The craft stall
MDA's Work Placement Program Graduation
Friday, 1 July was graduation day for participants of Multi Cultural Development Association's Work Placement Program. As always it was a joyous and reaffirming celebration of 14 participants determination to find a good job. Griffith University employed a graduate for the second year in a row demonstrating the power of this program and that the University has excellent employment policies.
Proud graduates in traditional dress. For more photos click here
West End State School Fiesta and Thank You Event
On Sunday 5th June, West End State School held its feista with a theme of "Thank you" to flood volunteers. The West End Flood Recovery Group held a "thank you" event at Horan Street at the same time.
I was busy taking photographs of volunteers for the Photo mosiac that you will see on display around West End, but I did have the opportunity to smap some of the entries in the Cake Competition.
The car towing, The Mop, Orleigh Park and the Flood Level cakes were just some of the delights.
The West End says Thank you event featured cartoonists Brian Doyle and Kate children creative artist who assist them making orgami boats to send their thank you messages
Sorry Week Celebrations
Sorry Week celebrations were held across the City from Sunday 24 May at the King George Square to the Sorry site at Hill End Terrace, West End on Saturday 30 May. The events were organised by LinkUp and National Reconciliation Alliance.
The Sorry speech given by PM Kevin Rudd has been read at all occasions that I have attended and the emotion and power of the speech is tangible each time. Many brave aboriginal people tell of their lives as stolen children. I am always taken back by the cruelty that was aflicted on young children.
Meanjin Choir entertaining everyone
If you wish to see more photos click here
Paniyiri 2011
Musgrave Park was host to the 35th Paniyiri Festival which enthralled visitors once again with the food, dancing, entertainment and joy of being at this wonderful event.
Each community has its own stall with slightly different food for sale. All the food is home made so the women have been cooking for weeks if not months in preparation. It is a huge task and then everyone is needed to be on the stalls during the three day festival. All funds raised goes back into the local Greek communities
The Paniyiri festival is unique to Brisbane so it is no wonder that everyone comes to enjoy the dancing, culture and to learn more about Greek history. I congratulate Chris Kalzonis, Bikko and their organising team and the sponsors of this event particularly the Coffee Club.
The hard workers from the Women Auxilliary were colourful
If you wish to see more photos click here
Community Picnic Riverside Drive
On Satrurday 21 May, 200 people enjoyed a community picnic at Riverside Drive to celebrate what a great park it will be when Riverside Drive is closed to through traffic. There were Balinese Flags, a sausage sizzle, a bike obstacle course, a dog parade, and children games. The three legged race and egg and spoon races were a great hit with the children
I would like to thank Joe and Peter from West End Community House for cooking the food, Coleman Ridge for travelling from the north coast to put up the flags, Michael Bain for playing his guitar and singing to us, Valerie from West End Veternary Surgery and Premier Anna Bligh for her prizes.
The day would not been a success without Paul Rees and Leanne Sturgess who helped me organise the day
Everyone getting ready for the dog parade
If you wish to see more photos click here
River Plaza Terminal to be restored
On Saturday 21 May, residents of South Brisbane gathered to celebrate the announcement that Council will restore the River Plaza ferry Terminal by the end of July 2011.
For months, Council had refused to give a commitment to restore the Terminal in spite of the pontoon and the gantry being safely removed during the height of the flood. The pylons are in place and the Federal Government has given $140 million for the restoration of ferry terminals and the Riverwalk, so there was no reason for the terminal not to be restored as soon as possible.
Local residents would not accept the need for a two year wait and so wrote, email and lobbied for the terminal to be restored. It is a great win. Only five years ago, they had to fight to keep the River Ferry service. This time it was a ferry terminal.
A celebratory drink for the River Plaza terminal win
The cheque hand over to Bahloo Women’s & Youth Shelter Home from the funds raised from the B&B Indigenous Women’s Luncheon for 2011.
To view more click here
Bounce Back West End
Forty business owners and members of community organisations gathered at Freestyle Restaurant to launch two local initiatives to support retail activities in West End on Tuesday 29 March 2011.
Win West End promotes the retail activity by offering a $1500 voucher to be spent in West End and entry is a simpe as coming and spending in the 15 participating shops.
Street walkers Guide to West End encourages everyone to come and enjoy the suburb its culture and history and the cafes and restaurants.
Wayne Shay lodges his application in the pink box held by Fiona Shay as part of the Win West End promotion
For more photos click here
West End Short Film Festival
Mike Wit and a small group of friends held the second West End Film Festival on Sunday 27th March. It was a great night with two sell out sessions.
The venue, a car park at the rear of Rumpus Room, was transformed into a great indoor theatre. It was great to see the level of support from local business who contributed to a number of awards.
If you wish to see more photos of the night click here
Clean UP Australia Day in The Gabba Ward
There were 10 Clean Up Australia Day sites in The Gabba Ward on Sunday 6th March. I was at two of them only and both along the river. The twenty five people who volunteered at these sites did a fabulous job. I congratulate Jarden for removing the most plastic from the mangroves along Riverside Drive, she was climbing through the trees and having great fun.
I am sure the eveyone will notice the different in these public spaces this week. We all must do more to make sure it stays without litter
Orleigh Park volunteers
Riverside Drive was a ver visible site.
Grand Opening for Reverse Garbage
A day long opening on 20 February launch Reverse garbage into its new premises at 20 Burke Street, Woolloongabba.
There was interest from regulars and new customers from early in the morning. it was wonderful to see the space and light in the new building.
Manager Brook ready for business and fun
For more photos of the day click here
Darry, Pam and Phil perform at the Launch
SkateBoard Event, The Common, Coorparoo
The Gabba Ward Livablity Committee and the LMSIF funded an event at the skate ramp at Coorparoo on Saturday 11 December. Like most events recently it was washed out at half time but participants had a great time. Congratulations to Martina Kostov who organised the event.
Cr Abrahams is commited to improve the facilities at this site as it is a great location and a regional skate facility
The enthusiasts stayed in spite of the wash out
New Ward Office Opened with smoking ceremony
On Wednesday 17th November, approximately 60 people gathered for the opening of The Gabba Ward Office
2/63 Annerley Road, Woolloongabba
Former Lord Mayor Tim Quinn was the official guest and gave a great speech with very positive encouragement for the future. Everyone was amazed at the space. The community room was welcomed as a great place for community meetings.
The big room was a success
Civic Pride Abounds
Mr Vincent Sliger, Cavendish Road, Coorparoo is one of the residents in THe Gabba Ward who demonstrates pride in his house and a high lvel of civic pride.
It was a delight to meet and chat with him about a number of issues in his suburb.
Vince in his postless back yard
Jacaranda Housing
Jacaranda Housing held its second AGM on the first birthday of the organisation.
Jacaranda Housing aim is to promote community housing and providing professional services to existing commmunity housing groups.
The organisation has moved to Jane Street, West End
Michelle , Dianne Seidell, CEO, John Eastgate and Helen Abrahams cut the cake
Sunday Best
West End Community Association organised a street fashion parade that was held on Sunday 24th October. The parade entertained the restaurant crowds while making its way to the red carpet fashion house.
It was great fun with everyone enjoying the pleasure of dressing up.
The children got into the swing of the day
For more photos click here
Coorparoo Juniors AGM and Awards Celebration
About 100 parents and young footie players came to the Coorparoo Juniors AGM and awards presentation on a very wet Saturday 9th October.
The Coorparoo Juniors is a stong local club that celebrated the players who mentored younger players and junior members who are learning referee skills as well as the successful teams.
I am delighted to be able to assist this club with funds to improvements to their playing fields and hopefully install better drainage. At the moment some areas of the grounds ares only suitable for ducks.
President Jason White and award recipents. Yep, they were standing in the rain.
West End Live - Brisbane Festival
Sunday, 19 September saw the Boundary Street closed for West End Live. The traders remained opened, stages were scattered amongst couches, synthetic grass and a MBX circuit.
The focus was on local, community activity rather than commerical stalls. Local bands and music blended all this activity. It was a great day for everyone who ignored the grey skies and came to celebrate the diversity of the West End community.
The Yellow Bird Band with the Transformers Band in the background.
For more photos of West End Live click here
Gold Star Awards
At this time each year, Council librays conduct the Gold Star Awards to encourage children to read. Over several weeks, children are encouraged to submit a list of the books they have read each week to Library staff. All children who have read more than two books a week for five weeks are rewarded with a medalian and certificate at the Gold Star Awards.
It is an event of proud parents and excited children.
The West End Library Gold Star Awards packed the up stairs room
There were lots of smiles at the Stones Corner Library Gold Star Awards
Brisbane Serbian Festival
The Serbian Orthodox church community celebrated their food, dancing and culture with a festival on Sunday 29th August in the grounds of Dutton Park State School. More than 500 people enjoyed serbian hospitality under covered marques.
Dancers ranged from preschool to young adults and all were in traditional dress.
for more photos click here
St Josephs's School is a successful Active School
Several classes at St Joseph's School have completed their bike skills training. The number of bikes at the rask as school have increased seen below.
St Joseph's is achieving 70% of pupils travelling to school using active travel- walking, cycling, public transport and car pooling. Well done everybody.
The bikerack is put to good use
Roadstar teaching how to cross the road safety
Celebration of the Contraflow Bike Lane
On a very Chilly Wednesday moring, Cr Helen Abrahams and Rolf Kuelson, President East BUG held a breakfast and petition signing event in Thorn Lane to celebrate the contraflow bike lane.
Many cyclist stopped and were more that happy to provide information on the next project to improve the safety of their bike route to work.
Contraflow bikelanes are an answer to missing links in several inner city routes. Bikes are premitted to ride in the opposite direction in one way streets but in a safe designated bikelane.
Cylclists offering suggestions for futher improvements
West End State School Fete
The West End State School fete was a great success on a wonderful winter day.
Cr Abrahams with well known political women Sally Anne Atkinson and Jacki Trad who were workingon the food stalls.
The crowds watching the school pupils performance
The West End Carnviale was great success
The West End Carnivale is a "must go to" event at Davies Park highlighting the talent of local artists. Musicians, circus performers, spray can artists and singers gathered from 2 to 10pm to just have fun and enjoy everything on show.
The Rio Rhythmics Brazilian Carnivale Parade was a colourful and vibrant start to the evenings festivities
The Gabba Ward's LMSIF grant assisted with the cost of this event.
For photos of the night click here
The Rio Rhythmics Brazilian Carnviale Parade