From Diwali to Community: Embracing Kindness and Connection
By Xavier Hernandez
Happy Diwali to all our readers who have started planning how they will celebrate this local, national and international celebration, which falls on November 8. From the Australian Indian Times family and me, I wish you all a safe and joyful five-day festival, both in the lead-up and throughout the celebrations. Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
This month, I would like to begin by thanking JD and the Deo family, my friends and the Australian Indian Times community for their ongoing support. I am honoured to announce that I have been appointed as a Chapel Prefect as part of the St John’s Anglican College 2027 Leadership Team. This is a journey I look forward to continuing to share with you. Thank you to the Deo family and my village for your love and ongoing support.
I am grateful to be growing up in such a vibrant and supportive community. Recently, I caught up with a friend and the owner of A–Z Gallery at Sunnybank Shopping Centre. I still remember how he would give me a gift and say hello every time I walked into his store. He has shown me small but impactful acts of kindness since I was three years old. Sitting down with him, seeing his wife and talking with his staff, particularly during the Moon Festival, was an incredible experience. Enjoying a cuppa of organic tea and finding some awesome bargains made it even more memorable. I would like to challenge our readers to perform an act of kindness this month and every month.
I also had a wonderful time with the Vietnamese senior citizens, President Khue Oanh Do and members. I took part in their Father’s Day badminton challenge and helped hand out knitted beanies and items donated by Mission Possible and Gail Harrow. Gail and I have known each other since we were very young, and seeing her and all her volunteers was another incredible moment. If you would like to volunteer or donate to Gail and her team, reach out to Mission Possible in Logan Central.
I also attended the Zaffarology Transformation Workshop, a powerful one-day workshop themed MASTER YOUR MIND – BUILD YOUR LEGACY. As a young person whose journey is still being laid out, it was an eye-opener and a wonderful opportunity to work alongside some of Queensland’s brightest minds. One topic that particularly interested me was Artificial Intelligence.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to be discussed by our Australian Indian Times readers, particularly the opportunities and threats it may bring to our day-to-day lives.
Like all things, AI can also be misused. That is why my interview with mental health champion Cr. Nathan St Ledger remains incredibly important. Please enjoy Part 6.
Xavier Hernandez: How do you think the community contributes to the development, growth and wellbeing of young people?
Cr. Nathan St Ledger: Schools play a huge part. Guidance officers, in particular, work really closely in this space, and I spent a couple of years working in schools with disengaged young people, so I have seen that firsthand.
Schools play a huge role, and not just in education. They are increasingly becoming involved in young people’s wellbeing and having to deal with those sorts of issues as well.
Sporting clubs and community organisations also play a huge part. I’ve got to give credit to the QRL and a mate of mine named Weston, who was at the QRL, for starting mental health support initiatives. They now have support squads, with volunteers within clubs who have received training in mental health support and other areas to help young people involved in these sports.
Sporting clubs and community groups play a major role because connection, value and purpose are extremely powerful tools. That’s what everyone needs, in my opinion.
People generally find their interests through these organisations, so having people around them who have a little bit of education and understanding to be able to help in those situations is really important.
They play a major role, and the more we can help upskill people within those organisations, the better.
Xavier Hernandez: Do you have a personal motto or guiding principle that influences how you approach life, work and challenges?
Cr. Nathan St Ledger: I don’t know if it’s a motto or not, but I think it’s about just having a go at things.
I’m extremely fortunate, mate. I’ve got really good people around me. I’ve got a really supportive wife and kids, and now some really good mates as well.
But you get in the game, or you could just sit on the sideline. I won’t be sitting on the sideline. You’ve got to get in the game.
Xavier Hernandez: How do you enjoy your downtime?
Cr. Nathan St Ledger: For me, it’s spending time with my family. I love going away camping. I love either getting out bush or getting to one of my favourite places in the world, Fraser Island.
My wife and my kids all love doing that sort of stuff, so getting away either out bush or up the beach is really important for me.
It’s about connecting personally without phones and technology taking over. That’s what I like to do, and it’s probably something that I need periodically throughout the year, so I’ll make sure I prioritise that.
That’s really important.
End of interview
As many readers have told me when I’m out in the community, they really enjoy the “What’s Coming Up” section, so I’m pleased to share a few events happening across our community.
I recently caught up with the team at The Lion Richlands, who will be celebrating Diwali in style on Sunday, November 8, at 133 Pine Road, Richlands. The community is invited to come together for Lakshmi Puja and celebrate colour, culture and community.
Another event to pencil into your calendar is Movember Logan West, taking place on Sunday, November 22, from 7am to 9am at Sweetgum Park, Hillcrest. The Logan West Movember Fun Run is a new fundraising event supporting men’s health, with 2km and 4km options. Run, walk or take it at your own pace. The cost is $20 per person.
The third event is Creswalk 2026, taking place on Sunday, October 11, at Berrinba Wetlands, Wayne Goss Drive, Browns Plains. Participants should arrive at 8am, with the walk starting at 8:30am. The free community event offers a 5km or relaxed 2.5km route, with walking, running, strolling and wheeling all welcome.
Enjoy your month of October, and I look forward to seeing you out and about as we continue celebrating our community and doing what I love — building community.
