Where did the time go?

I originally started writing this post somewhere in June - but things have been so busy, I didn't get to finish it off at the time and upload the photos.  And now we are about to embark on our annual Australia-Malaysia Ball.  So it is definitely time I update everyone on some of our recent events and news.  There have been more, including a number of citizenship ceremonies and other events, but these are the highlights.  Each one of these events could in itself be a post, but I'll try and give a brief overview of each.

Visit to Logan City Council with MIDA and Dinner with MIDA on the Gold Coast

MIDA Sydney representatives, Gulam and Balqis, came on a visit to Queensland.  We accompanied them to meet with Logan City Council, (followed by a quick visit to our favourite Logan restaurant, Yahoo), and then the AMBCQ hosted a dinner for MIDA on the Gold Coast. We have a number of new members on the Gold Coast and it was great to meet up with them.





Parkinson Ward Dragon Boat Festival, Forest Lake

As anyone who follows this blog will know, we love dragon boat - it has been a great activity to be involved in, bringing in new members, promoting the AMBCQ, and creating a real sense of camaraderie and teamwork.  Three years ago we had our first regatta at the Parkinson Ward Dragon Boat Festival, and three years later we are still having a great time.  Unfortunately, we didn't improve on last year's result - we came third this time, while we have come second for the last two years.  But that just gives us something to strive for next year!  The Festival is organised by Councilor Angela Owen-Taylor and the Hakka Association and it is a great community event.








Dinner forum with prominent Malaysian lawyer, Edmund Bon, Partner with Chooi and Partners, and former Malaysian Bar Council Committee member

The AMBCQ hosted Edmund Bon at Sun Fay Restaurant at Indooroopilly. We were also joined by Cr Steven Huang, Councillor for MacGregor Ward, who has been a great supporter of AMBCQ.  Edmund spoke about issues facing the Malaysian legal profession currently, and also issues arising from the recent General Election.  It was a great opportunity for members and supporters to discuss the landscape in Malaysia following the conclusion of the 13th General Election.

Dinner with David Gibson MP, Member for Gympie and Chair of the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee

David gave us a very interesting insight into some of the issues facing regional Queensland, specifically Gympie.  He spoke about the recovery of the area since the floods earlier this year, as well as the ongoing fallout from the previous Government's Mary River dam project.  The project was ultimately scrapped, but the whole process saw a lot of upheaval in the electorate over many years, upheaval which still is not fully resolved.  He also gave us a briefing on his role as the Chair of the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee and some of the key infrastructure issues currently facing the State.

Lunch with the Hon Julie Bishop MP, Deputy Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The AMBCQ took a table at this event, and we were privileged to be able to share a few minutes with the Deputy Opposition Leader to discuss issues related to Malaysia and the Malaysian community.  We also presented the Deputy Opposition Leader with a hand crafted map of Asia to recognise her contribution in her role.


Live Malaysian Election Coverage with cross overs to Malaysian candidates and commentators

We hosted an open event for Malaysia watchers in conjunction with the Malaysian Election .  We had live updates of the count, plus live cross overs via Skype to candidates, election workers and commentators.  

Dinner with the Hon Lawrence Springborg MP, Minister for Health, at Parliament House

The AMBCQ was privileged to be able to host this dinner at Parliament House, which was facilitated by Freya Ostapovitch MP, Member for Stretton.  Freya has been a wonderful supporter and she was very helpful in organising the event.  Lawrence speech gave an indepth explanation of many of the issues in the Health Department and how the Government is dealing with these very difficult issues.  Health has been a real problem in Queensland politics for a long time, and it was great to hear the many reforms that Lawrence is introducing as Minister.