Each month, more than 20 community groups or individual members enter their stories and updates from the Forest Lake Community. This makes up our valued group of Community Contributors. Below are our May 2023 articles from our Local Members, including Forest Lake Ward councillor Charles Strunk and Member for Inala Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Councillor Charles Strunk 
I would firstly like to pass on my sincere gratitude to all the generous and kind- hearted residents, business and community groups that have made time out of their busy schedule to stop by my Forest Lake Ward office to donate non- perishables and toiletries for this year’s Brisbane City Council Homeless Connect program. The Forest Lake Ward office has worked tirelessly for the past seven years to gather as much food and toiletries to ensure people at risk of becoming homeless or homeless know that as a ward we care. I encourage anyone who would like to donate to stop by my ward office before May 18.
On May 14 let us all thank our mothers or caretakers for making this world a better place. This is a truly special day, an occasion which expresses the respect, honour, and love that we have towards our mothers. Mother’s Day is celebrated in more than 46 countries around the world and locally we have lots of events happening. No matter how you decided to spend your day – just know that you make our community a better place. Thank you to everyone who attended the April market held at the Forest Lake Rugby Union sports field. My Mother’s Day free raffle was a real hit and congratulations to the winner of this beautiful prize, I’m glad I could make someone’s day extra special!
I am excited to give an update about the new parkland area going in currently at Castamore Way Park, Richlands. This has been a huge project over the past year, seeing this space transform into a new playground, picnic facilities, grass land kick about area and connecting pathways. When completed in the coming months local families will be about to enjoy this space together. We have seen new fitness equipment installed at Kathleen Street, Richlands. Upon request from the two Forest Lake high schools we have seen an extension to the safety fence along Forest Lake Blvd to assist with making motorist more aware of the crossing points for students in front of the Forest Lake Shopping Centre and encouraging students to cross at only the two locates at the light and at the pedestrian refuge island.
As always, don’t forget the Dragon Boat festival is fast approaching. Be sure to pencil this event into your diary for Sunday the 4th of June. This a fantastic way to celebrate our cultural diversity and showcase our beautiful Forest Lake Parklands Precinct. The Hakka Dragon Boat Festival is a wonderful way of remembering the ancient story of poet Qu Yuan, who threw himself into the Miluo River in protest against a corrupt Kingdom. His sacrifice is now China’s largest traditional holiday that is celebrated around the world and in our very own backyard. So, if you would like to compete, or attend this wonderful perfect family-friendly event please visit me at one of my many mobile offices.
As always, please let me know if you have questions about anything I have raised in this column and local government matters. Each month I send out a community electronic newsletter with loads of information on upcoming events, local projects, and initiatives. If you would like to receive this newsletter, please get in contact with the ward office. If there’s anything else I can do or my staff (Pam or Nayda) can assist with, please contact my office at forestlake.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au or on 34071211. I look forward to seeing you when I’m out and about in our delightful community.
From the desk of Annastacia Palaszczuk
Last year I had the pleasure of announcing the Premier’s Anzac Prize Winners, which
included Ms Nooria Ahmadi representing Forest Lake High School. Last month, Ms Ahmadi
travelled with seven other students to Europe to engage with Anzac tradition first-hand and
explore how the Anzac legacy relates to modern life.
Anzac Day is an important time for us to stop and reflect on our history and honour those
who served. So many of our local clubs and RSLs go to great efforts to host commemorative
events, I am happy to report that both the Queensland Remembers Grants Program and
Anzac Day Trust Grants Program continue to help support these organisations, including
through the restoration of the National Servicemen’s Association’s Wacol Precinct.
I would also like to take the time to thank and congratulate all the nominees in the inaugural
Inala Small Business awards. Our community nominated over 115 small businesses who play such an important part in the day to day lives of so many. Make sure to get the next edition to the Lake News or follow me on social media to see the winners when they are announced.
As a reminder I encourage everyone to take a look at the range of concessions and
discounts provided by the State Government to help with the cost of living. Things like fee-
free TAFE, discounted rates, energy rebates, discounted public transport and cheaper kindy
are just some of the things on offer.
Find out what you’re eligible for by visiting www.concessionsfinder.services.qld.gov.au.
If you have questions or need assistance regarding any State Government matter, please
contact me at the Inala Electorate Office on 3737 2100.
