October Celebrations, Community Spirit, and Important Conversations
Welcome to my October column! I want to start by thanking all who participated in the September survey. Your insights are truly valuable and help us choose the topics that resonate with you. This space is all about fostering open conversations you, our readers.
October has been buzzing with wonderful Indian and multicultural celebrations, and I’ve had the privilege of volunteering at several of them. I want to shine a spotlight on a few events that are definitely worth adding to your calendars.
I begin by acknowledging the Deo family. Another important annual event took place on October 5th, organized hosted by our very own – the Deo family—the Fiji Day Celebration and Girmit Remembrance Day. It was a truly special day, filled with vibrant cultural performances and heartfelt moments of recognition. Most importantly, the event offered an opportunity to reflect on the rich history of Fiji and its people. We honored the legacy of the Girmitiyas, ensuring that their stories and struggles are remembered and cherished.
A special shoutout to GOPIO for hosting the Gandhi Jayanti celebration on October 2nd at Roma Street Parklands. It was a day dedicated to honoring Mahatma Gandhi’s incredible legacy and spirit, and I felt grateful to be part of such a meaningful occasion.
I also want to extend my gratitude to Mukesh Dubey and the Greater Springfield Indian Association for putting together the Dandiya Night on October 12th at Robelle Domain Park. This traditional festival was a fantastic gathering, bringing families and friends together to enjoy music, dance, and celebrations that showcase the richness of Indian culture in our area.
Looking ahead, don’t miss the Diwali celebration at Dreamworld on November 2nd! Organised by the Gold Coast Indian community, led by Chairman Manish Saini, this event promises to be a spectacular occasion filled with dazzling lights, vibrant performances, and delicious food. Diwali, or the festival of lights, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, making it a fantastic way to celebrate our cultural heritage.
I also want to highlight an important project in our community: “Broken Shackles – The Contagious Peers Documentary.” This initiative uses performance art to draw attention to mental health, trauma, and cultural disconnection among Indigenous and diverse communities. Eric and Concy have been working tirelessly to bring this project to fruition, and they need your support for its premiere on December 14th at Marsden State High School. It’s a cause close to my heart, and I hope you consider attending.
The Forest Lake Community Festival on October 12th is an event everyone should catch! For over five years, my mom and I have enjoyed volunteering there, and it’s a highlight of our year. Big thanks to Kylie Gates, President of the Forest Lake Festival Association, for her dedication in making this event a fantastic success.
Expect a day filled with fun activities, local stalls, live entertainment, and delicious food. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate what makes Forest Lake a fantastic place to call home. If you see me there, please stop by and say hello!
In September, I had the privilege of once again supporting the Lions Club of Inala’s Backpack Initiative, a cause that holds a special place in my heart. This initiative provides essential school supplies in backpacks to children in need. As many families face rising living costs, ensuring that all children have the tools to succeed in education is more crucial than ever.
The Backpack Initiative works hard to support families who are struggling to provide children with school bags, books, pencils or basic materials for them to learn. For me, as young person I would like every student go to school with the material they need to learn. Unfortunately, this isn’t happening, and that is why I was proud to volunteer alongside the Lions Club of Inala and Vietnamese Seniors Citizens to put these important bags together to help families that can do with a smile and children who deserve to be proud to have the tools to help them lean. The more they learn will help them make good choices in life and have the opportunity to choose a good future for which they can choose what they want to study and what field they would like to work in and pick good people to call friends.
I’m excited to share the results of our September survey! Your feedback offers crucial insights into the topics that matter to you.
Here’s a quick look at your preferences:
• Paper Copy: 66.7%
• Online: 33.3%
• TV: 16.7%
• Word of Mouth: 16.7%
Over half of you indicated that the Brisbane Indian Times is addressing concerns that resonate with you, which is incredibly encouraging! Based on your insights, we’ll be focusing on these topics in upcoming articles:
• Current Affairs: 83.3%
• History: 83.3%
• Cost of Living: 50.0%
• Government: 50.0%
• Mental Health: 16.7%
• Homelessness: 16.7%
• Crime: 33.3%
Some of you raised intriguing questions about today’s tech-driven world, like how to keep kids engaged outside of their devices. Other pressing concerns included youth mental health and digital addiction, write about upcoming and past events which we’ll explore in now and future issues. Here are some of the issues raised: “The Mental Health Crisis Among Youth: A Growing Concern, Youth Unemployment: Digital Addiction: The Double-Edged Sword of Technology for Today’s, Youth – Bullying in Schools: How It’s Evolving and What Can Be Done, Youth Volunteerism: How Young People are Making a Difference in Their Communities Youth and Climate Anxiety: The Future They’re Inheriting”.
I especially would like to focus on bullying, mental health, volunteering, and all the issues raised in the upcoming months. So, watch this space! I’m saddens me to hear about all the youth and adult suicides happening because of bullying and the impact it has on mental health. Let’s start talking about it as it may save a life.
At the Brisbane Indian Times, we believe it’s essential for you to have a voice in our community. If there’s a topic you’re passionate about or an issue you think we should cover, please reach out! Whether it’s about community events, local council news, youth initiatives, or mental health awareness, your stories can make a real difference.
Until next month, keep sharing, keep caring, and let’s continue to uplift one another!
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