Larry Olsen analysing the form at Eagle Farm. Source: Jemma Cutting

A famous saying in racing is that weight can stop a train. In 1987, Larry Olsen made one of the most inspirational comebacks in racing history. After five bouts with retirement due to ongoing weight problems, the Queensland jockey beat his demons and the critics to win the most famous two-mile handicap in the world.

These days, you’ll find former champion Larry Olsen at Brisbane race meetings, providing commentary for Sky Channel.

Born in 1948 and raised at Nudgee Beach in Brisbane, Olsen “was always mad on horses…working with them before and after school.” He dreamt of nothing but being a jockey. 

It was with trainer Mal Barnes where he “first learnt to ride ponies,” and a life-long passion was invoked. By the age of 13, Olsen had left school to pursue riding full-time.

“When I was 14 I could become registered so I started riding track work at Eagle Farm,” he says.  

At just 15, Olsen had earned his first race ride at Sydney’s Canterbury Racecourse in 1963, and his first win came in a three horse race at Gatton; ironically, it would be at the same track he would stage his final comeback decades later.

Let the weight battle begin

Young Olsen’s promising career had already begun to be plagued by his battle to ride at the then minimum of 47 kilos.  Today the minimum for jockeys is 53kg, with allowances.

“When I was a kid around 17 or 18, I would jump on the scales and be about nine stone (57kg); I was up and down all the time.  I suffered a lot with not being able to ride.”

Termed a “heavyweight” jockey, come race day Olsen was “lucky to get a couple of rides, whereas the lightweights could ride a full book.”

There were many occasions Olsen felt close to defeat, “Even if you were 51 kilos in those days you were considered heavy, these blokes today jump on the scales at 53 and think they’re a lightweight.

“Then I picked up the ride on Triton, who I won my first major race on, the 1972 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.”   Triton and Olsen then went on to beat all before them in the celebrated Epsom Handicap, beating the famous grey Gunsynd.

But the battle with the bulge continued to dog his otherwise burgeoning career.  “I always struggled to ride below 51 kilos, any day I could be 57 and then try and ride 51 so you can see how bad it was.” 

When asked how this was possible, Olsen replies he “did it wrong, a lot of sweating and dieting.  You’d starve yourself for days and sweat it out when you could eat, you’d eat your head off it was just like a toilet seat up and down, up and down,” he laughs.

Worth the weight: Olsen aboard Kensei at Eagle Farm in 1988. Source: Ross Stevenson, with persmission

Another early retirement

Between 1981 and 1983, Olsen repeatedly gave the game away and returned, no fewer than five times.  Finally, when the colt Best Western he was riding for Bart Cummings retired to stud, Olsen seemingly retired for good.

“There was a period around 1983 when I really gave it away.  I moved to my dairy farm in Kyogal where I milked over 160 cows.”  During his three year hiatus, Olsen and his wife Maureen sold the dairy farm and moved back to the Brisbane suburb Fig Tree Pocket in 1985. They opened the first Horseland store (a saddlery business) in Queensland.

It was here that the next stage in Olsen’s career began. “I lived about eight kilometres from the shop and I started walking and then running.  By this time the weight scales had been raised and thought I might be able to get back into racing.” 

Not many people believed he could make the comeback again, Olsen admits his weight had climbed to over 80 kilos.  By the time it was Christmas 1986, Olsen was down to 51 kilos. 

Olsen approached respected Brisbane trainer Pat Duff and started riding work for him at Eagle Farm.“I hadn’t been on a horse for three years but Pat was great, and I had my first ride for him at Gatton for him. I think I rode two seconds.”

Larry Olsen aboard Kensei the 1987 Melbourne Cup winner. Source: Ross Stevenson, with permission

He’s back and better than ever before

Before long, he found himself riding doubles and trebles all over Brisbane.  Eventually with further tweaking of the diet and exercise routine, Olsen dropped to 49 kilos and began his climb back to the top of the riding ranks.  “I was in Sydney and I won the Epsom Handicap again and was lighter than I had ever been in my life and I could ride anything, compete with the others, fit and well because I was doing everything right.”

On the first Tuesday in November 1987, Olsen finally achieved his childhood dream and rode the Les Bridge trained chestnut Kensei to victory in the 1987 Melbourne Cup.  A clever, tactical ride saw Olsen guide his mount along the fence in the dying stages, to surprise the leaders and race favourites, Empire Rose and the blue-blooded Rosedale, trained by Bart Cummings.

“It’s a lovely feeling and I could never, ever ride a better race than I did that day. Most are great rides but I had to pull that one out. To win something like the Cup, well nothing’s bigger than that, nothing.”

On the same day, Olsen was found guilty for ‘not letting a horse run on its merits’ and was subsequently disqualified for a year and warned off all racecourses.  “I had three rides that day, I rode two winners and the other horse I rode was Sound Horizon, who I’d won the Epsom on the start before…but the stewards charged me.  I appealed to the racing authorities and fought it and beat it, which I had to: it was just a joke.”

The affair left Olsen with a very sour taste in his mouth and much lighter in the pocket.  Later in the same season, he famously out-smarted fellow jockey Jim Cassidy in the 1988 Golden Slipper to win on Star Watch.

Larry Olsen now spends racedays interviewing trainers and jockeys for Sky Channel. Source: Jemma Cutting

The final curtain call

After returning to ride in Brisbane, Olsen finally hung up his irons in 1998, when he was 50-years-old.  “There was a meeting at Eagle Farm and one thing I was riding there was a 100-1 shot and I thought to myself what am I doing here?”

Olsen privately decided it would be his last ride as a professional jockey.  “I didn’t tell anyone I just came back and packed my port.  I didn’t think I would ever last that long, I thought by 18/19 there was just no way I could stay a jockey but along the way I persevered.”

Olsen believes the weight scales were raised too late in his career and if he was starting off today, he’d be much more competitive.   “But I can’t complain about my life. I had a wonderful time as a rider I rode all over Australia, overseas in Singapore, Hong Kong, England and represented Australia on a couple of occasions.”

With an interrupted career spanning 35 years, Olsen amassed over a thousand winners, 24 of them at Group One level.   

In 2007, he was inducted into the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame.

“It doesn’t matter where I go I’m accepted.  When you win a race like the Melbourne Cup it’s just wonderful thing in your own mind and the recognition goes far and wide because even if you travel over the world, everyone knows the race that stops the nation.”

Saia and Anthony Fainga'a (Getty Images: Phil Walter)

Dreadlocked Test hooker Saia Fainga’a is the latest sporting star to raise awareness for charity, promising to dye his hair pink for breast cancer research if his Twitter account reaches 5,000 followers.

For Saia and Wallaby brother Anthony, breast cancer is an illness that has greatly affected them, witnessing their grandmother fight and survive the disease.

“People don’t realise how serious it (breast cancer) is until it happens to a loved one,” Saia said.

“Nan is one of our biggest supporters so all we wanted to do is support her…I don’t think she’s ever missed a game in Canberra.”

Nicole Lovelock from the National Breast Cancer Foundation believes that the Fainga’a twins are in a unique position to positively promote breast cancer to men and children.

“Promoting mammography has proved to be the most effective weapon used to fight breast cancer,” she said.

“Early detection and staging will affect prognosis and survival rates. Raising awareness has encouraged more people (including men) to get themselves checked and these boys are in a position to do that.”

Dr Bruce Armstrong, a professor of Public Health at the University of Sydney admits that after skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form and he encourages woman to be checked annually.

“Even with modern technology, one in 11 women will still be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 70,” he said.

“The earlier people get checked, the easier it is to cure.”

So far the Fainga’a twins have reached 2,886 followers on their Twitter page.

Currently following the cause are celebrities Kylie Minogue, Miranda Kerr and Megan Gale.

In addition to his contribution to the breast cancer cause, Saia donated a signed Queensland Reds jersey for auction at an epilepsy awareness fundraiser last weekend.

“Obviously, playing for the Wallabies has allowed us to promote certain charities that men are often unaware of,” he said.

“To get such a great response for two blokes who throw a ball around for a living is rewarding in itself.”

For more information or to follow the Fainga’a twins on Twitter go to http://twitter.com/FaingaaTwins

The bout was full of 'power jams'. Photo: Tijana Jaksic

The Brawl Stars are the ‘All Stars’ team from the North Brisbane roller derby league.

An American-invented contact sport on skates, the roller derby scene is gaining popularity throughout south-east Queensland.

Winning 103-98, the Brawl Stars beat Geelong’s Bloody Marys in a neck-to-neck bout.

Off to a slow start, the Brawl Stars quickly skated their way back into the game, with an even score of 89-89 at five minutes to full time.

Commentator David McGhee (Johnny Pistol) says it was great to see both teams swapping the lead.

“There were two ties, one in the first half quite early on at about the third jam, and then another in the second half,” he said.

“They were pretty close to each other most of the second half.

“But then the Brawl Stars started catching up, and then Bloody Marys would get a jam and take the lead again.”

Sin bin

Mr McGhee says a highlight was seeing two people get ejected from the game after being repeatedly sent to the sin bin.

“In the whole time I’ve announced I’ve never seen anyone get ejected let alone two,” he said.

“But I loved the crowd, it was probably one of the best crowds we’ve had in Brisbane.”

Brisbane’s roller derby scene is gaining momentum, with skater and spectator numbers increasing. Photo: Tijana Jaksic

Bloody Marys skater Sarah Agtnerhuif (Riff Raff Saff) says it was “awfully close”.

“A close game is always a good game,” she said.

“It was great to be skating against a different team, especially in a different state.”

Fundraising

Ms Agtnerhuif says the team, from Geelong in Victoria, made it to Brisbane with the help of much fundraising.

“We had a trivia night, a wine drive, a few sausage sizzles, market stalls, and at our season final we had a mini market at our bout which helped pay to get here,” she said.

Brawl Stars skater Aimee Schurmann (Sweet Enemy) says the Bloody Marys put up a “massive effort”.

“Thank God we came back in the end there,” she said.

“They really, really, really made us work for it.”

‘Adrenalin rush’

Ms Schurmann says roller derby is unlike anything she has ever played and she just “had to do it”.

“I’ve never found anything that comes remotely close to how amazing and fun this is,” she said.

“It’s the adrenalin rush and it’s an awesome team sport.

The Northern Brisbane Rollers’ Brawl Stars team. Photo: Tijana Jaksic

“It takes all shapes and sizes – everyone has something to contribute.”

The Northern Brisbane Rollers’ next game will be an intra-league tournament between the Love Rockettes and Diner Might Dolls on November 20.

Photo Gallery: Brawl Stars vs Bloody Marys

Video: Nearing full time

Related Link: Rules of Roller Derby

Related Link: Becoming a Roller Derby Girl

Zumba is popular with women wanting to get fit. Source: www.zumbabrisbane.net.au

Zumba has become an overnight sensation in Brisbane as it provides a fun way to exercise and lose weight.

Zumba enthusiast Hayley Williams says Zumba’s a great way to exercise.

“I think Zumba is a great way for people to get fit and have fun. It’s excellent as you don’t actually realise you’re working out.

“Which is great for people who aren’t actually all that motivated to lose weight.”

Mandy O’Grady, from The Met nightclub in Fortitude Valley, said they introduced Zumba classes as the club is the perfect venue for it.

“Everybody has been talking about doing these classes and we have the facilities to do it with good lighting and good sound and a good location with lots of space we can do it in. So we thought, let’s give it a go.”

She said the difference between The Met and other Zumba providers is how they create a real atmosphere for the dancers.

“We’ve got the space; we’ve got a full plasma screen wall that plays visual throughout the class.

“We’ve got all the nightclub lights on, the full sound system.

“The teacher’s up on an elevated stage, so it’s easy to see and it’s really easy to get involved and you don’t feel like everyone is watching you and you’re not crammed in together.”

Milton based Vida Latina Dance Company dance teacher Simone Smith says their Zumba classes haven’t suffered as a result of The Met’s new addition.

“Everywhere is competition so, I guess yes we would consider them competition, but a bit of healthy competition is never any sort of drama.”

Vida Latina specialises in all types of Latin dance classes with them boasting classes in fifteen locations around Brisbane.

Although many gyms throughout Brisbane are taking up the challenge of providing Zumba classes, Fitness First Health Clubs says they’re not worried about competing with a nightclub.

However, Ms O’Grady says they “absolutely” consider themselves competition for other Zumba Classes.

“We offer a full nightclub experience along with the Zumba classes that’s something a lot of the general gym classes don’t actually offer.”

Zumba Fit Brisbane provides information on classes at The Met such as background on the instructor and where to park.

Brisbane has received record level rainfall causing flooding as seen here at Toombul Shopping Centre. Source: Derek Barry

The annual Wilson HTM Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge has been cancelled because of heavy rainfall and extreme weather forecasts across Brisbane.

The event, now in its sixth year, raises much needed funds for Diabetes Australia and Heart Foundation research.

Organisers of the charity cycle, which was scheduled for Sunday October 10, 2010, announced the event would be postponed due to the recent near-record rainfall and forecast flood warnings issued by the weather bureau for most of South East Queensland.

A spokesman from Bicycle Queensland said it was aware of the great disruption and inconvenience the postponement has caused.

“After consultation with police and other stakeholders, Bicycle Queensland has taken this step for the safety of participants. The decision to postpone has been taken with great reluctance as we are mindful of the disruption to all riders, volunteers, and contractors,” he said.

Since 2005, the event has seen almost 30,000 participants, and Bicycle Queensland announced all current entries will be valid for the new date.

“It is hoped that a new date will be set within a week,” he said.

“All current entries will be valid for the new date, provided all rider kits including bib and wrist bands are retained.”

Benjamin Doolan was registered to take part in the event and says it is unfortunate the weather has affected the race.

“I think the weather would have made for a more interesting and challenging ride, but there are a lot of younger and less experienced riders participating and organisers did the right thing to postpone the race,” he said.

“Obviously it isn’t just the riders who are affected, but all those who volunteered to help out will need to reschedule.”

Mr. Doolan says that although a new date will need to be found this will not deter participation.

“If last year is anything to go by, the event is raising money for a good cause and people will support the event even if it doesn’t fit in ideally with their plans,” he said.

Organisers have noted that any current entrants, who are unable to participate on the new date, will be able to transfer their entry to another rider at no additional cost.

Information regarding the new race date and any further updates will be posted via the Bicycle Queensland website, Twitter and Facebook.

Rothera to represent Toowoomba in the 2010 Spring Carnival. Source: Ross Stevenson, with permission

The Queensland onslaught on the Spring Carnival riches continues this weekend with Queensland horses racing in Melbourne and Sydney.

19-year-old Ben Currie takes a big step in his young training career when he saddles up another Toowoomba representative, Rothera, in the Group Three Betfair Stakes over 1400 metres at Caulfield.

Toowoomba gallopers have made a major splash on Australian racing’s main stage recently, with Captain Sonador winning the historic Group One Epsom Handicap at Randwick on October 2, and Poor Judge running a surprise third in the Group One Toorak Handicap at Caulfield last weekend.

“We were thinking of going to Sydney and targeting the Bill Ritchie or the Epsom, [but] he had a little setback when he became a bit crook for a couple of weeks so we had to back off him and we sort of just waited,” Currie said.

“A lot of his form stacks up really well, you can only beat what he’s faced in Brisbane and if we can get a little bit of rain I think he might be a chance,” he said.

Toowoomba trainer Norm Hilton surprised many form analysts last Saturday when his horse Poor Judge ran a brave third at long odds to the Gai Waterhouse trained super mare More Joyous.

In fact, Poor Judge nearly did not make it to Melbourne. The horse had already been sent to the paddock for a two month spell, when owner Phillip Tjoen suggested they take him south.

“The owner rang me and said there’s a space left on the plane why don’t we go to Melbourne?” Hilton said.

“So I raced out to the paddock and got him and washed the mud off him and here we are.”

He conceded many were critical about his entry.

“We’ve got a saying in our stable, bite off more than you can chew and then chew like hell, well we’re chewing,”

“We didn’t know how good the horse was, you don’t know until you try,” he said.

Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote is also enjoying success down south.  This weekend, he will be kept busy with runners in three states including Eagle Farm.

Heathcote calls Buffering the "shining light of the stable." Source: Ross Stevenson, with permission

He’s already produced Buffering to set a race record in the Group Two Roman Consul at Randwick on October 2.  He lines up again this weekend in the Listed Governor Macquarie Cup, while Woorim will be representing the stable in the Group Three Betfair Stakes at Caulfield.

“Buffering is the real shining light of the stable at the moment and to do the extensive  travelling like he’s done, set a race record on a dead track doing his best work at the end of the race and not having run for a month, it’s certainly pleasing for us that’s for sure,” Heathcote said.

In a week-long tournament filled with tension and a tremendous atmosphere, Victoria and New South Wales dominated but Queensland snared some fantastic victories as well.

The standout victory for the home state was the outstanding effort by Jake Duffy to clinch the Under 13 Boys Singles Gold Medal.

Under 13 Boys champion Jake Duffy serving. Picture: Courtesy of Table Tennis Australia.

He caused the upset of the tournament in defeating number 1 seed Dominic Huang from Victoria in the semi final four sets to one, and followed that up in the final by conquering Daniel Zhou by the same margin.

Duffy said he was ecstatic to win the gold.

“It was a great experience because it was the first time I’d ever won a medal at nationals, and then to top it off it was the gold in the singles so it was an experience I will never forget,” he said.

Other especially gutsy performances were by Jenny Zhang in the Under 15 girls singles, and Naoya Yamamoto in the Under 18 boys.

Zhang’s valiant run came to an end in the quarter finals.

The highlight of her tournament was her defeat of the number 3 seed, when she rallied from three sets to love down to win 11-9 in the seventh set.

Yamamoto also competed strongly to finish fifth in the Order of Merit for the Under 18 boys.

Queensland Coach Ashleigh Stevenson lauded the team spirit displayed by the home squad.

“A big improvement I noticed this year was the way the Queensland team supported each other,” she said.

“If some team members weren’t playing, they were often sitting on the bench clapping for other Queenslanders, and it didn’t seem to matter if they were boys or girls or different age groups.”

Stevenson said the week was an intense one for her but well worth it.

“It does get stressful – I was typically doing 12 hour days, sometimes more,” she said.

“But the crowds really got into it this year, so on the finals day there was a good atmosphere.”

Tournament director Lukas Kozak was pleased with how the tournament ran.

“It was the most kids we’ve ever had at the nationals, and a lot of parents were there as well, so the atmosphere was pretty alive,” he said.

The tournament was divided into teams and individual events, with the teams running from Sunday to Thursday and the singles and doubles running on Friday and Saturday.

Under 18 Boys champion Heming Hu launches a backhand. Picture: Courtesy of the International Table Tennis Federation.

New South Wales won three of the teams events, with Victoria picking up two titles and New Zealand one.

The standout Queensland team was the Under 18 girls, who snared a bronze medal behind the heavyweights New Zealand and Victoria.

It was Victoria who dominated the singles, providing four out of the six individual winners.

The other titles were won by Duffy and South Australian Vy Bui, who upset number 1 seed Lily Phan in the under 15 girls.

Under 18 girls winner Anna Du was crowned the junior player of the year.

For a full list of teams, singles, and doubles results, go to http://www.tabletennis.org.au/.

Cyclists hope Wednesday's ride will encourage investment in more cycling facilities similar to the RBWH cycle centre. Photo: Jessica Uhlmann.

Ride to Work Day will proceed this Wednesday despite wet weather, and is expected to top last year’s national record-breaking attendance by 55,000.

Ride to Work Program Manager Elysia Delaine says an unprecedented number of people are riding to improve the environment and traffic congestion.

“We have seen a big jump in registrations this year so this is expected to be our biggest Ride to Work Day yet,” Ms Delaine says.

“We want to top last year’s effort in which our registered riders pedalled enough to ride around the world 17 times,” she says.

Manager of Bicycle Queensland Ben Wilson says the surge in registrations is proof that Brisbane residents are embracing cycling.

“On average, (Ride to Work Day) sees an increase of 20% of new people getting into cycling and our research shows us that many of these people do keep cycling afterwards,” Mr Wilson says.

Mr Wilson says this is a significant achievement because it often takes time for people to change their habits.

Safety warning for riders

But while cyclists are looking forward to the festivities, the Brisbane City Council has urged riders to take caution in the wet weather.

A spokesperson for the Brisbane City Council warned that paths may be slippery and has advised cyclists to avoid using bike paths in floodplains, such as Kedron Brook.

The spokesperson also said there may be debris on paths due to strong winds.

What to expect on the day

Mr Wilson says Ride to Work Day is ultimately about encouraging people to have fun with cyling and make good use of their local bike riding facilities.

He says the event is not restricted to “serious riders dressed in lycra” and cyclists of all capabilities can make the ride a social occasion by getting a group of friends or workmates together.

Novice riders can arrange an experienced “bike buddy” to cycle with them for support.

Cyclists will meet up for free breakfasts from seven to nine o’clock at the RBWH Cycle Centre and at Emma Miller Place in the city.

Organisers hope that high levels of support will help in campaigning for better cycling facilities. 

Cyclists can support the case by registering their ride for free until October 20.

Construction for the Armor All Gold Coast 600 is underway. Source: Kayla Brereton

The set-up for next month’s V8 Supercar race on the Gold Coast has just begun and despite last year’s drama, organisers are staying positive.

Organisers have taken a new approach this year, after spectator numbers dropped when international cars pulled out a week before last year’s race.

The newly-named Armor All Gold Coast 600 is set to be a hit, with a three-night music festival joining the motoring spectacular.

Cole Hitchcock from V8 Supercars Australia said the race has generated a positive response.

“The response this year has been really positive,” he said.

“We are going through a re-building stage after the issues from last year, particularly with the collapse of the A1 grand prix.”

“But we have started turning things around; the Queensland government have commissioned us to take the race back to its glory days.”

However, Daniel Gschwind, CEO of Tourism Council Queensland said last year’s drama has caused some damage.

“The drama last year was certainly not something that was welcomed by anybody,” he said.

“It was most unfortunate the way things developed. It’s never a good thing and has obviously done some damage to their reputation.”

The New Approach

Mr Gschwind says V8 Supercars’ new domestic approach, which focuses on the Australian market, is the reason they are back on track.

“I think this year is much more focused on the cars rather than the international race format that we have had in the past,” he said.

“This new approach will give better opportunities to promote the domestic market.”

With a domestically-focused approach, the event is likely to see more Gold Coast residents and families attend.

Rebecca Frizelle from the event’s major sponsor Audi, says the race now appeals to the entire community.

“You will see a lot of local people going. The Gold Coast needs an event that appeals to the entire community and this one does,” she said.

“They are building it so there is something for everyone including families, couples and individuals.”

The Armor Gold Coast 600 is expected to be viewed on television by millions of people around the world.

It is also expected to attract more than 200 thousand fans over the three days (October 22 – October 24, 2010), with tickets available online.

A new soccer club and players have been added to the Indoz centre and are fast helping it become a vivacious cultural hub for sports-mad locals in South Brisbane.

The Indoz Centre at Inala. Photo: Peter Sarai

Raj Soumel, soccer coordinator for Indoz, is in the process of getting the new soccer team, aptly named Indoz United,  into the local league and says sports are a great way to get involved in the Aussie way of life.

“If we can connect on the field through a sport with Aussies, it’s great, and then we can share our cultural differences around too,” Mr Soumel said.

However the club is not strictly just a sports facility. 

Indoz, which combines cultural aspects of the Indian community such as food, worship and sports, could help to mediate any racial tension south Brisbane, between Indian and white communities.

The centre has regular welfare programs, complete with in-house counselling and Police education talks.

Peter Sarai, Indoz President, says the centre aims to help Indians integrate into an Australian lifestyle which may help diffuse any existing racial tension in the South Brisbane area.

“If we can educate new immigrants on what to expect here then we can take some of the pressure off society and the police,” Mr Sarai said.

Parth Raval, President of Griffith University Indian Student Association, says that the Indoz Centre is great for Indian students, who may have felt isolated in the wake of racial attacks in Melbourne and more recently, Brisbane, this year.

 “The Queensland Police Service contributed by giving safety talks to the people, which has been really helpful,” Mr Raval said.

Earlier this year there were two attacks on Indian students in the area which left the Indian community feeling vulnerable and isolated, although the Queensland Police maintain that the attacks were not racially motivated.

Mr Raval said that the centre was foremost a popular social hub for young people, especially the students he interacts with at Griffith University.

“There is a wonderful sports program and so it provides a great social networking centre for everyone.”

Peter Sarai says the centre is much more than just a drop-in centre for Indians though and is intent on getting  the wider Brisbane community on board, to promote healthy relationships across the cultures.

“It’s a place where everyone in the Brisbane community can connect; it’s not just about Sihk kids…”

Indoz, which survives largely on donations of more than three million dollars, boasts a library, a small Sihk church, a community garden and well equipped sporting facilities.

Sergeant Jim Bellos, the Metropolitan South Region Cross Cultural Liaison Officer says that the centre is well on the way to becoming a great success in Brisbane.

“It’s unreal… it’s a terrific centre and it’s very well done, it’s going to be great for the community” Sergeant Bellos said.

The Indoz Sihk Community Centre is situated at 16 Rosemary Street, Inala, and is open for all to use. For information phone (+61) 7 3879 8880