Kara Cook Community Update

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Bayside Including Wynnum, Manly, Lota, Tingalpa, Lytton, Belmont, Gumdale, Birkdale Redlands Including Capalaba, Cleveland, Raby Bay, Redland Bay, Thorneside, Victoria Point, Wellington Point

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BONNER

You’re Invited! 2026 Bonner Seniors Expo

I am delighted to invite you to this year’s Bonner Seniors Expo, a fantastic morning dedicated to connecting seniors with local services, community groups and organisations.

Date: Friday 23 October 2026
Location: Mount Gravatt Bowls Club, 1873 Logan Road, Upper Mount Gravatt, QLD, 4122
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm

The Bonner Seniors Expo is a great opportunity to discover the wide range of activities for healthy, active and independent ageing available in our community.

You’ll be able to speak directly with representatives from government agencies, community organisations and aged care providers, and learn about topics including health and wellbeing, volunteering, community participation, and much more.

You’ll also have the chance to hear from a range of engaging guest speakers and exhibitors, offering expert advice, practical information, and valuable resources.

Whether you’d like to drop in briefly or spend the whole morning exploring, I’d love to see you there.

Parliament Update

The past few sitting weeks in Parliament have been super busy!

I’ve spoken in Parliament on a range of important issues, including making university education more accessible, supporting young people and seniors, tackling domestic and family violence, creating more opportunities through Labor’s apprenticeship programs, helping households save on power bills with cheaper home batteries, and raising awareness of mental health.

I’ve also attended several important events focused on issues that matter to our community. One of these was the launch of the National Roadmap for Change to Prevent and End Family Violence Against People and Animals by Lucy’s Project. The roadmap sets out practical ways to better protect people and their pets from domestic and family violence, recognising that many victim-survivors delay leaving unsafe situations because they fear for the safety of their animals. Initiatives like this help ensure people and pets can find safety together.

Parliament also welcomed the first-ever National Youth Parliament, bringing together 150 young Australians from across the country to learn about how our democracy works and experience life in Parliament firsthand. Bonner was proudly represented by Yogini, and after meeting her, it’s safe to say our community’s future is in great hands!

Tax help available

Need help lodging your tax return? The ATO is offering free Tax Help appointments for eligible people earning less than $70,000 who need assistance lodging their return online.

Date: Monday 5, 12, 19 and 26 October 2026
Time: 9:15am to 2:00pm (45-minute appointments)
Location: 69 Clara Street, Wynnum, QLD, 4178

An accredited volunteer will help you lodge your return and answer any questions.

Spaces are limited, so contact my office to request an appointment. Please note that appointments are only confirmed once my office has contacted you.

Eligibility requirements apply. If you are not eligible, visit ato.gov.au for other support options.

Out and about in Bonner

One of the best parts of my job is getting out and about across Bonner and celebrating our local community. It’s been great recently to attend a lot of local events at schools and organisations. A few highlights were attending the Rotary Family Fun Day, Belmont State School Fete, Gumdale Goldies 5th Anniversary, Bayside Kite Festival and Ukrainian Festival.

Attending local events is a fantastic way to connect with residents, celebrate the people and organisations that make our community so special, and hear directly about the issues that matter most. I’m proud to represent our community and always grateful for the opportunity to be out and about meeting the amazing people who call Bonner home.