Queensland at Heart: Sport, Community and Mental Wellbeing
By Xavier Hernandez
How good does it feel to be a Queenslander! Like many of you, I’ll be cheering on the mighty Queensland Maroons in the State of Origin decider. I also want to congratulate the Australian soccer team on their outstanding World Cup campaign. There’s nothing quite like watching the game with family and friends, and I wish both teams the very best. It has been wonderful to see how far they have progressed, and we are all proud to support them.
While we enjoy life here in our beautiful state, my thoughts are also with those overseas who have recently experienced hardship, including communities affected by the devastating heatwave across Europe and the tragic earthquake in Venezuela. On behalf of the Australian Indian Times family, we send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to everyone impacted.
In my previous column, I shared part two of my interview with Cr Nathan St Ledger, Councillor for Division 4 at the City of Logan. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read it and send your encouraging feedback. It is clear that these conversations are making a positive difference, and I hope they continue to encourage people to seek support when they need it. Enjoy the third part of the interview below.
Part Three:
Xavier: In your opinion do family structures influence young people’s wellbeing?
Cr St Ledger: They have their effects because young people need their mum, young people need their dad, or they need those positive male and female influences in their lives to help show them and lead by example what it means to be a good person. Speaking from my perspective as a guy, my role is to show my daughter how she should be treated and what her expectations, as a minimum, should be. I should be modelling solutions and modelling how you treat people with love and respect. That is where that comes from. Sometimes, when things happen in different families, young people do not get that connection or cannot find that positive role model, and sometimes they find it in the wrong place. That is why we are putting things in place for young people to be able to have those positive influences in their life.
Xavier: Are you able to share some words of wisdom about how to face challenges these days?
Cr St Ledger: I think it is hard. I had kids really young with my wife, and it was tough. Nothing that is worth fighting for is easy. Sometimes you have to take a breath, step back, look at what you can control, and control what you can control. Put one foot in front of the other. Do not look for a quantum leap or something massive, like winning the Lotto, to fix everything. It is a matter of deciding what is important to you, and hopefully it is not too many materialistic things. Concentrate on the things that are important to you, and the other stuff will follow. It is easy to sit and say that, but surround yourself with good people. Hurdles come along, and when they do, look for support and get that support to help you through it.
End of Interview
I look forward to sharing more from my conversations with Cr Nathan St Ledger in future editions as we continue raising awareness around mental health and highlighting the people making a positive difference in our communities.
One event I am particularly looking forward to is the Iconic India Day Fair 2026, proudly presented by GOPIO Queensland. To be held on Saturday, 15 August, at Roma Street Parkland, the event promises a fantastic celebration of India’s Independence Day through culture, food, music, dance, entertainment and community spirit. I was delighted to attend the official poster launch, and this year I will be volunteering at the GOPIO Queensland stall throughout the day. If you are attending, please come over and say hello.
Another wonderful community celebration was the Parkinson Multicultural and Dragon Boat Festival at Ken Fletcher Park, Tennyson. Thousands of people attended to celebrate diversity, friendship and teamwork.
Congratulations to the Multicultural Vietnamese Community United team, made up of many members from Forest Lake, Inala and surrounding suburbs, who secured an outstanding second-place finish in the community division after a thrilling day of racing. The team won its opening three races before narrowly missing first place in the grand final by only milliseconds.
Hosted by the Hakka Association of Queensland and powered by the Brisbane Typhoon Crew, the festival showcased the very best of Queensland’s multicultural community. A special thank you goes to Brisbane Typhoon Crew for generously training and mentoring the Vietnamese Community United team in the lead-up to the event. Their commitment and expertise played a significant role in the team’s success. Congratulations also to Khue Oanh Do, President of the Vietnamese Community in Australia – Queensland Chapter, who coordinated the team while also taking on the demanding role of drummer throughout the competition. Events like these remind us that success comes through teamwork, trust and supporting one another.
Congratulations are also in order for the Lions Club of Inala, which recently held its 2026–2027 Changeover Dinner. It was an honour to see Nayda Hernandez inducted as President alongside an experienced and passionate executive team committed to serving the community. With members bringing decades of volunteer, professional and leadership experience, the club is well positioned for another successful year of community service.
There has also been plenty of discussion surrounding Queensland’s new personal mobility device laws, which commence on 1 July. Many parents and residents have welcomed the changes, saying they will help improve safety for everyone using our roads and pathways.
For more information: https://www.streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/e-bikes-e-scooters/
Across the community, I have also been speaking with residents about the Queensland Government’s 2026–27 Budget. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly around initiatives such as permanent 50-cent public transport fares, the Back to School Boost, Play On! sports vouchers, investment in schools and hospitals, and increased funding for housing and community infrastructure. For more information: https://budget.qld.gov.au
Finally, I want to end on a more serious note. Recently, a disturbing incident occurred in my local community of Forest Lake involving a 12-year-old boy who was thrown into the lake in the Lake Parklands by older youths. Watching the footage was heartbreaking. Bullying has no place in our schools, workplaces or communities. It affects people of all ages and backgrounds, and we all have a responsibility to stand against it. I have grown watching people in high levels of government, business and community bully. It doesn’t discriminate.
If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying or struggling with their mental health, please speak to someone you trust or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. You are also welcome to reach out to me or the Australian Indian Times family, and we will do our best to point you in the right direction.
