ROSS VASTA MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BONNER
A crowd at the Bonner Seniors’ Expo
I recently hosted my annual Bonner Seniors’ Expo, at the Waterloo Bay Leisure Centre in Wynnum. Fostering a community where elderly people know they are cared for and supported is a priority of mine. It is important Bonner locals age with the assurance that quality assistance is available and accessible to them.
This year, we had forty-eight vendors, twenty-three raffles and three hundred attendees!
Non-for-profits, commercial, and government organisations joined us, each bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience. It was awesome to see such a great range, with each vendor bringing a unique contribution to our 2024 Expo… whether it be on wellness, financial planning, social activities, or practical advice. We had great speakers and even performances from Bayside Dance and Darling Point Special School.
Thank you to everyone who supported the event, from donating raffle prizes to inviting your family members. A special shout out to our sponsor, Piccardi Fry Lawyers. Without their generosity, the Bonner Senior’s expo wouldn’t be possible.
Thank you to everyone who came to the expo, it is a privilege to serve our community in such a practical way. My team and I are already planning next year’s expo, which will be even bigger and better!
Amplifying the Voices of Our Young People
Sometimes, to young people particularly, it can feel that politicians are making life-changing decisions a world away… in Canberra. That’s why I decided to participate in the 2024 Raise Our Voice Australia Campaign, to amplify the voices of young people and show that the perspectives of Bonner youth are heard and important.
As part of the ROVA Campaign, high schoolers across Australia were asked “What do you want your community to look like in the next 10 years, and what can the next parliament do to achieve it?”
This year, I read a speech by Bonner local year 11 student, Araminta.
Araminta’s vision is simple, she wants our community to be a place where mental health is openly discussed and where everyone feels supported. Her 90-second statement was a personal story, sharing her struggle with mental health, and is a powerful reminder of the challenges many young Australians face.
I found her story particularly touching in light of the Bonner Youth Mental Health Forum, which I hosted in May this year. The forum highlighted the importance of early intervention, and remembering to check in on your mates.
The statistics she shared are alarming: 38.8% of Australians aged 16 to 24 have experienced a mental health disorder in the past year, and suicide is the leading cause of death among young Australians.
As Araminta wrote, “These are not just figures, not just numbers, these are people, these are children, with real lives, and real struggles. They are our classmates, our friends, our family.”
With young people as switched on as Araminta, I think we can rest assured that the next generation is ready to lead the charge in creating a more supportive community.
Thank you, Araminta, for your courage and commitment to highlighting the importance of mental health.
