Nate Hamon: Community Philosophy

28/04/2025

FOR THOSE LIVING IN OR NEAR BEENLEIGH/EAGLEBY/MT WARREN AREA

Compassion Drive: Blankets and Cup-of-Noodles Needed.

Some of you may know that my folks are the local coordinators for Rosies - Friends on the Street. Their team does an amazing job but need your help before the Winter cold hits.

🧡 Help Rosies Spread Warmth and Comfort this Winter! 🧡

Imagine not hearing your name or having someone look you in the eye for months. Sadly, for many Queenslanders facing homelessness or social isolation, this is their daily reality. Rosies goal is to meet people at their point of need and help make their lives a little better.

Right now, Rosies – Friends on the Street is running a two-week drive to collect blankets and cup-of-noodles to help those doing it tough.

☕ A warm drink and a friendly conversation can do wonders for someone’s mental and physical health — and you can help make that happen!

What is needed: 🧺 Clean, machine-washable blankets (no doonas or large quilts, please — something light and easy to carry).

🍜 Packs of cup-of-noodles (the simple kind that just need hot water).

If you have something to donate, please message me privately for the drop-off address. Every little bit makes a real difference! 💬

Let’s help Rosies show that nobody in our community is forgotten.
Thank you for your kindness! 🧡

Note: Rosies will accept these items at anytime - this is just a concerted drive as these items are currently running low and are desperately needed.

20/02/2025

Science Ambassadors of the Year! Beenleigh!

We are excited to share that Beenleigh State High School has been awarded the UQ Science Ambassador 'School of the Year' for 2024! This is a statewide recognition, and we competed against several high-calibre Schools, making this achievement particularly significant.

This award is a testament not only to the outstanding contributions of our 2024 UQ Science Student Ambassadors – Naiomi Lim, Angelina Moodie, Danish Nagoor-Hanifa, and Kai Piggott – but also their teacher, Elizabeth Stewart, who lead this project.

Well done 😊⭐

29/01/2025

A beautiful farewell today for a beautiful, super smart woman who spent nearly half her life educating the kids of Beenleigh High.

We learned that she was a “top of the class” student receiving at High School what would be the equivalent of an OP 1. She could have been anything.

She chose to be a teacher.

One of the world’s truly noble positions.

Our kids had her as a teacher and she was an amazing communicator when it came to keeping us as parents updated and informed.

Gone too soon.

25/12/2024

Locals to my area - please keep an eye out for Esther - missing now for a week.

Missing woman, Eagleby

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a 28-year-old woman missing from Eagleby since Wednesday, December 18.

Esther Davidsson (pictured) was last seen on Logan Street around 11pm and has not been seen or heard from since.

She is described as Caucasian, approximately 162cm tall with blonde hair and brown eyes.

She has a tattoo on her wrist with the wording ‘Lilly’ and a distinctive cross tattoo on her right hip with a bead necklace hanging over it.

Family and police have concerns for her welfare as she has a medical condition.

Police are appealing to Esther, or anyone with information concerning her whereabouts to come forward.

Missing 28-year-old, Eagleby - QP2402224292

If you have information for police on this, please call Policelink on 131 444 now. If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.

Quote this reference number: QP2402224292

19/12/2024

We first started coming to trivia at Club Beenleigh around the time our youngest was born - and she’s 14 - so a long time now. Consistency is not my forte. I’ve lived in about 60 different homes, went to about 10 different schools, lived in multiple countries - so to stick at anything for nearly 15 years is not like me.

The host Gary (pictured here with our trivia team) has created a really old school, down to earth social club with this weekly event. Nothing flashy just good trivia, a few jokes, and the guy really gets to know the people there.

It’s different to many other trivia nights I’ve been to. There’s a real sense of belonging. It’s a community.

Well he’s finally retiring and leaving a big hole.

To this trivia master legend we wish the best on his next adventures and a massive thank you for providing a really enjoyable space to hang out in every Thursday night.

08/12/2024

Do you live in or near Beenleigh?

This week is the last week for one of our iconic restaurants.

Owners Vanitha and Ross, who have become family to my family, will be closing their doors after a quarter of a century, serving wholesome, authentic Indian and fusion meals.

When council built the town square and turned their high-traffic, prime location into a dead end street, it almost broke them.

But they dug deep, worked hard and redesigned their business to become a successful cafe.

Just as they have given us their love and support as individuals, they have poured their hearts and souls into their business and they will be sorely missed.

If you can get in there, don’t leave it till the last minute. Friday is their last day. Open from breakfast to lunch.

Kastury's: Café and Restaurant on James St

08/12/2024

It’s always a pleasure and a privilege to support our friend Berni and Signal Flare- Helping the Homeless and Others in Need by performing for their events.

It’s also extra special when at these events we get to catch up with our cousin Juanita who is always giving to the community. In this instance she was up all night cooking for the event and then serving that food on a stinking hot day.

The world is full of great people who make the world a better place through their efforts.

01/11/2024

Go you good things!

And that pianist! Bit of a babe don’t you reckon? I should ask her to marry me.

At the start of this month, 11 students sat their A.M.E.B. (Australian Music Examinations Board) examinations. 🎻

Students have received lessons for 12 months in preparation for these rigorous, comprehensive exams. They are examined on repertoire, scales and technical work, general knowledge and aural skills.

Thank you to our piano accompanist, Maria Hamon who rehearsed with our students and played for their exams 😊

28/10/2024

Maria threw her hands up in exasperation. "The facts speak for themselves."

Luis shook his head. "No, Maria. They don’t."

Maria blinked, turning toward him. "Don’t what?"

"The facts don’t speak for themselves. Facts just lay there, waiting to be noticed." Luis leaned forward, his voice low but impassioned. "If a lie comes along and it’s big and brash and makes a loud noise - especially if it scares people - then that’s what gets noticed instead, while the facts just lay there, limp and cold. You have to speak on behalf of the facts."

Maria put down her fork, glancing at Luis with a mix of pride and frustration. "Well, some people do speak up," she replied, her voice steady, "but it’s just too easy to look away, pretend they don't."

Ramon shook his head, rolling a ball of masa dough in his hand as if mulling over her words. "Look, maybe it’s hard for you to hear, Maria, but people are scared. And I don’t know, maybe that fear isn’t always... smart. But it’s there. And Andrews speaks to that fear, gives people a sense of control."

Maria snorted. "Control? By spreading hate-filled lies?"

Luis looked at Ramon, a glint of challenge in his eyes. "Fear can be real, but what people do with it? That’s on them. And Jack Andrews isn’t giving people control. He’s giving them excuses."

26/10/2024

Thank you to all who bought raffle tickets in support of Beenleigh High P&C. We’re raising money for the new performing arts centre.

Special thanks to Cathy Neyland who saw Bec and I short handed tonight and helped sell tickets!

Thank you for hosting Club Beenleigh

26/10/2024

Fundraising today for an irrigation system for the Beenleigh Community Garden. Come and grab a sausage from Bethania Bunnings.

09/10/2024

This photo popped up as a memory in my FB feed.

It was the last day of one of my classes (for those who don't know I used to own and operate a vocational training provider).

I walked into class to find my students all there, wearing "Nate's Mates T-shirts that they had printed themselves. They gave me a unique "Coach" top and I'm not shy of saying I teared up a little.

The memory reminded me of the importance of education and how it really is a remedy for many of life's ills. It can also help communities to prosper.

Education is the foundation of strong, thriving communities.

- Crime Reduction: It helps reduce crime by offering opportunities for personal growth and employment, steering people away from negative paths.

- Economic Growth: Educated citizens support and create local businesses and contribute to a prosperous local economy.

- Cooperation: With knowledge comes understanding, promoting harmony and reducing tensions in neighbourhoods.

- Civic Engagement: From teaching financial literacy to conflict resolution, education equips individuals to become active, thoughtful members of their town.

By making investments in education, we invest in a more resilient, connected, safer, progressive community for everyone.