In this edition, we report from our very busy schedule of events over the past several months and tell you about exciting new gatherings we have coming up.

Our President Graham Moloney reports from a stirring Celtic Winter Concert by Queensland Irish Choir, the success stories from the Queensland State Irish Dancing Championships, and reminds you about our upcoming AGM. We look forward to seeing you there.

Our Director Mary Allen reports from our recent Queens Wharf Precinct History Tour, which had a bumper turnout, and writes about very exciting upcoming events she is involved in organising, including a tour of the historic O’Donovan Library at Parliament House and a torch-lit Samhain/Halloween tour of Toowong Cemetery.

We have a preview of Brisbane Celtic Festival, where we will have a stand and you will be able to see the first outing of our new QIA marquee, and the Irish Film Festival Australia, which is once again this year sponsored by QIA. We also look at the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, a fascinating Irish play which is part of the Brisbane Festival, and tell you the story of Irishman Hugh Mahoney, who went from living in a museum basement to being a successful pioneer Queensland farmer.