Sustainable alternatives to red roses for Valentine’s Day,
LNY Celebrations and Humanity & AI.
February is a special month in the florist’s calendar, with 14 Feb. being the biggest day of the year. It’s no surprise that our theme this month is Valentine’s Day. As a sustainable florist, CFS has been offering sustainable alternatives to red roses for the past three years — and we’ll continue this commitment. Drop by our pop-up stall to discover thoughtful, planet-friendly ways to express love.
February also welcomes Lunar New Year on 17 February, ushering in the Year of the Horse. Australians embrace multiculturalism so warmly that Lunar New Year is celebrated with great enthusiasm. While many conversations begin with zodiac animals, I often wonder whether these moments of curiosity can lead to deeper connections — learning about the history, values, and meanings behind cultural traditions.
In many Chinese households, the 28th day of the final lunar month is Clean-Up Day, much like a Spring Clean, symbolising clearing away the old to welcome the new. Families also prepare Nin-Goh (年糕), where “goh” sounds like both “cake” and “rise” — a hopeful wish for growth, progress, and good fortune in the year ahead.
Last year, CFS was honoured to receive a Stronger Together Festival Grant, enabling us to host our debut Lunar New Year Family Fun Fair. It was the first time we intentionally combined mental health promotion with cultural celebration. Alongside our signature FAME (Floral Arrangements Made Easy) and Succulent Terrarium workshops, we introduced Mindfulness Chinese Calligraphy and Chinese Lantern Making using red envelopes — inviting our diverse community to connect creatively and meaningfully.
This February, we invite you to join us at our pop-up stalls, take part in our creative workshops, and celebrate love, culture, and wellbeing together. Whether you’re curious to try flower arranging for the first time at our FAME workshop on 28/2, or ready to deepen your skills with our Bridal Bouquet–style intermediate workshop on 28/3, we’d love to create with you.
Details and bookings can be found in What’s On in Feb and March? — we hope to see you there.
Reflecting on past events
Social Connection – a WHO designated strategy to tackle loneliness
Andrew G. shared his reflection:
The ‘Up to Us’ card game rather helped me to reflect on my childhood and upbringing, by showing clear differences between 3 generations in how varied human experiences can be. It also revealed some of the issues within society and the expectations that contradict raw human nature, such as forms of education and employment.”
The author, Fiona M, of ‘Up to Us’ card game wrote to Bibi after reading Jessica’s reflections (published in the Jan 2026 e-Newsletter).
Hi Bibi,
Thank you so much for your email. It truly made my year (short as it is so far!).I was thrilled to read that Up To Us supported connection across generations and life experience. Seeing that come to life around your tables means a great deal to me and Molly.
Thank you also for offering to provide feedback. I’m trying to better understand the conditions that help people feel a sense of belonging through play and shared imagination.
🎲 Imagination games that turn ideas into friendships:
U Shape Us — A creative connection game for schools, families & communities 👉 Buy for $30
Up To Us — An intergenerational game of memory & imagination 👉 Buy for $40
Photos of floral arrangements of a Jan wedding by CFS.
Last month, CFS had the joy of completing a small but very meaningful wedding floristry project.
One of my quiet wins as a florist was convincing the bride-to-be to choose locally grown roses for her bridal bouquet —supporting local growers while creating something timeless and elegant. I was also deeply grateful for the cooler weather.
As with all wedding work, we source more stems than needed to ensure the very best blooms are selected. The remaining flowers with additional blooms were lovingly turned into 12 Petal-it-Forward bouquets and shared with elderly community members, neighbours recovering from illness, community centres, a local cafe and long-time supporters—extending the joy of the wedding well beyond the day itself. Two elegant bouquets are featured in the column ‘Plant of the Month’.
I’ve just written to the newlyweds to thank them for trusting CFS with their wedding flowers. Their choice didn’t just create a beautiful celebration; it also helped fund our youth mentoring program. This is why I often describe our work as “gifts that keep on giving.” Shoot Bibi and email for your next event, no budget is too small!
WHAT’S ON in Feb 2026?
Youth Mentoring Program
Dr Bibiana Chan, CF, and other CFS members in various professions are available to mentor young people, share their work experiences. In-person mentoring sessions will resume from Wed 4th Feb 2026. Topics covered: study skills, time management, goal setting, getting motivated, write a resume that stands out of the crowd, job interviewing skills and assertive communication, etc.
If would like to refer any young people (12 – 30 year) whom you recently started a ‘RUOK?’ conversation to our FREE Youth Mental Health Program, please contact Dr Bibi via email: communityflowerstudio@yahoo.com or call 0412-613-073. Check out KYDS (Free Youth Mental Counselling) for their services. EPIC (Empowering Parents In Crisis) is a community building peer support platform “For parents & carers of young people by parents & carers of young people“.
A new resource: Self-Compassion for Teens
with a page dedicated for the adults caring for their teenagers: resources for the adults
Sustainable Alternatives to Red Roses Pop-up Stall on Sat 14th Feb
Chris4mas is just around the corner. Join Bibi and the pop-up stall team at our final pop-up stall on Sat 14th Feb to get a beautiful bouquet which gives twice. All net proceeds will fund our Youth Social Prescribing Program. Our petal-it-forward campaign will take a twist by giving away beautiful ‘Pokka Dot plant’. Find us at the corner of Willoughby Rd and French’s Rd, right outside Little Giant Roaster Café.
Together, let’s sow the seed of kindness where so many parts of the world are experiencing man-made conflicts ( and wars). Here is a link to find out the health benefits of receiving (and giving) flowers .
Floral Arrangement Made Easy Workshop Sat 28th Feb
To celebrate Sustainable Alternatives Valentine’s Day Gift (to Red Roses), CFS is offering 20% discount for attendees over 25 years old. Use discount code ‘BMYVALENTINE’ (valid till Valentine’s Day 14/2). Youth tickets (ages 12–25) remain $10 each. Places are limited.
Why buy a Valentine’s Day Bouquet, buy an experience to create your own! Get your tickets HERE.
Laughter Yoga Autumn Program
Join our 2026 Autumn Program on Tues 17 March. There will be a ‘Harmony Week Celebration’ on Tues 17/3/26 to launch a new term which coincides with Harmony Week 2026.
Curious about Laughter Yoga? The benefits are amazing for both mind and body—but no shortcuts! Daily practice of 10–15 mins for at least 10 days is the key. Attend at least one class and you’ll join our WhatsApp group, where we share check-ins, new laugh exercises, and updates from Dr Kataria’s Daily International Laughter Class. Here is a ‘Argument Laughter’ YouTube clip to welcome the Year of the Horse! It is a Chinese tradition to avoid arguments around new year. I’d love to see our laughter buddies practising this argument laughter move at the next class on 17/3.
CFS Event of the Month for Feb
CFS’ group visit to see this exhibition on Day 6 of Year of the Horse (Sun 22/2) Meet outside Art Space, The Concourse, Chatswood. Time: 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
We will enjoy this ‘East Meets West’ art exhibition and then grab some food from Chatswood Mall’s Street Food Market. We will also share our reflections on living in a multicultural community. Dr Bibi will facilitate some Team Building Games. Hopefully, we will find a table at the Blend Cafe (Dougherty Community Centre DCC) or a shady spot at the park opposite DCC.
Free to CFS members and $5 for non-members. Get your tickets HERE!
Echoes of the Firecracker meditates on how rituals travel across time and place, what gets lost, transformed or invented anew. Drawing on Confucian and Daoist concepts of ritual (禮) and harmony (和) and informed by phenomenology, the exhibition explores how sound and rhythm shape memory, perception and the moral fabric of communal life.
A Willoughby City Council exhibition curated by Monique Bedwell in consultation with independent curator Faye Chen.
We are currently seeking an Event Organiser to coordinate these monthly events, each hosted by a different member with prior experience in organizing similar activities. Bibi will soon circulate a Google Doc to create a roster for 2026. We warmly welcome your ideas and suggestions—feel free to email them to Bibi!
mental health podcasts added to CFS webpage. Here is one of them.
Podcast (in Cantonese) on Community Flower Studio’s program to promote ‘Social Connections’ to tackle loneliness.
By Dr Bibiana Chan
If you feel like supporting youth mental health, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to CFS. Your support will help young people learn life skills and find meaningful employment.
Michelle Benson published in LinkedIn an article entitled “𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿? “She is referring to the term “non-profit” which is a tax reference, that unfortunately grew legs and became a label.
Bibiana Chan responded, “Absolutely. Perhaps a better terminology is ‘For-Purpose’. The Community Flower Studio is a youth-focused charity with a mission to help youth learn life skills and find meaningful employment. Your generous donations are tax-deductible.”
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Download the Return & Earn App onto your phone and nominate ‘Petal-it-Forward’ as the charity campaign for your refund to go. An anonymous sponsor will match the amount donated, so your contribution will be doubled!
Good news!!!
As of 31/1/26, we raised $623.7. A total of $623.7 donation was made by our anonymous sponsor to support our ‘PETAL-IT-FORWARD’ CAMPAIGN.
Your generous donations are much appreciated. The Community Flower Studio is a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC). Donations of over $2 will receive tax deductions. Please kindly make a donation to the Community Flower Studio (CFS) by direct debit. Our NAB account details are as follows: BSB No.: 082-212, Acc No.: 729-933-729
There are many ways to support CFS: become a member or contribute to the columns here. I’m always looking for a great recipe passed down from generation to generation. If you have a story to share, either write a short piece around 250 words or shoot us some photos. If there is a book or a movie you want to write a review, the CFS e-Newsletter will be happy to share with our e-Newsletter subscribers. Contact Bibi on communityflowerstudio@yahoo.com
If you would like to purchase a DIY Succulent Terrarium Kit for a loved one or a friend as a present, order online here ! This is also a ‘Succulents in Colour-Sand Glass’ DIY Kit which comes with a youth-approved instruction sheet and a QR code to the YouTube clip of previous workshops. Available here. You can also purchase a DIY Flower Kit from our online shop, click Flower Crown
Flower of the Month
Lobster Claw
By Bibi
Lobster Claw (Heliconia rostrata), also known as Hanging Heliconia or False Bird of Paradise, is a dramatic tropical plant celebrated for its bold, cascading bracts that resemble a lobster’s claw. Native to the rainforests of Central and South America, this striking plant instantly evokes a sense of the tropics with its vibrant red, yellow, and green flower structures. What many people think of as the “flower” is actually a colourful bract; the true flowers are small and hidden inside.
Heliconia rostrata grows from underground rhizomes and can reach heights of 1.5 to 2.5 metres in the right conditions, making it a statement plant in gardens, courtyards, or large containers. It is also highly prized in floral design for its long-lasting, architectural form and strong visual impact.
Native to the Himalayan region, flowering yellow ginger is a tropical perennial that grows from rhizomes, just like culinary ginger. In summer, it produces tall leafy stems topped with soft yellow, butterfly-like flowers that release a sweet, lingering fragrance, especially in the evening. The scent is often described as warm, floral, and calming — a natural reminder to pause and breathe.
Care Instructions
Lobster Claw thrives in warm, humid climates and prefers a sunny to partly shaded position. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal, especially in hot Australian summers. Plant it in well-draining, rich soil with plenty of organic matter. Regular watering is essential—keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, a balanced fertiliser or organic compost will encourage lush foliage and flowering. Remove old or damaged stems to promote healthy new growth. While it is fairly hardy, Heliconia rostrata is frost-sensitive, so protection is needed in cooler regions.
Fun Facts
Heliconia rostrata symbolises abundance, celebration, and bold creativity. Heliconias are pollinated by hummingbirds in their native habitat, and their shapes have evolved to match different bird beaks. The plant is named after Mount Helicon in Greek mythology, home of the Muses. A single bract can last weeks as a cut flower, making it popular in tropical arrangements.
Lunar New Year Symbolism
February’s Flower of the Month feels especially meaningful as Lunar New Year falls on 17 February. In Chinese culture, lobster is a prized festive dish, often referred to as “dragon prawn” (龙虾), linking it to the dragon — a mythical symbol of power, prosperity, and good fortune. The Lobster Claw heliconia mirrors this symbolism beautifully. Its vivid red tones, dramatic form, and cascading “claws” echo the visual strength and auspicious energy associated with the dragon. As a cut flower for Lunar New Year, Lobster Claw becomes more than a tropical statement — it is a floral blessing, celebrating abundance, vitality, and a prosperous year ahead.
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A gardener in Cairns shares tips on what varieties of Lobster Claws to look for in different Australian states.
Plant of the Month
Dusty Miller
By Bibi
Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria, also known as Jacobaea maritima) is a much-loved foliage plant prized for its soft, silver-green leaves and velvety texture. With its finely cut, lacy foliage and cool-toned colour, Dusty Miller brings light, contrast, and elegance to gardens and floral arrangements alike. It pairs beautifully with bold blooms, pastel palettes, and warm-toned flowers, making it one of the most versatile greenery options in floral design — and a personal favourite for many florists.
Care and Propagation
Dusty Miller is hardy, low-maintenance, and drought-tolerant once established. It prefers a sunny position and well-draining soil, and performs well in coastal gardens thanks to its tolerance for wind and salt. Overwatering is the most common issue, so allow the soil to dry slightly between watering.
Propagation is refreshingly easy. Dusty Miller can be grown from cuttings or seed, making it an excellent choice for beginner gardeners and community workshops. Regular trimming encourages bushier growth and keeps the plant looking tidy.
Fun Facts
The silver foliage comes from fine hairs that help reduce water loss and reflect heat.
Dusty Miller is often grown as an annual, though it is technically a short-lived perennial in warmer climates.
In floral arrangements, it symbolises calmness, clarity, and balance, quietly supporting the stars of the show while shining in its own subtle way.
Watch this YouTube clip on Dusty Miller Care and Plant Chat. Check out 0:54 min. explaining why its leaves look silver.
Dusty Miller Varieties + Harvest Tips for Cut Flower Use.
For a limited time only, ‘Pregnant Onion’ is available for sale at the CFS Flower Shop.
Book Review by Wing C.
Being Human for human beings
By Dr Aniello Iannuzzi
I bought Being Human – for Human Beings when it was first published in 2007, drawn by its deceptively simple title. I read a few of its short lessons, then placed it back on the shelf while I focused on building my career and proving myself at a new research centre.
Structured as 280 brief lessons, reflecting the length of human gestation, Dr Aniello Iannuzzi’s book invites readers to reflect slowly on what it means to be human. Its insights feel remarkably timely. Early on, he observes:
“We humans spend a lot of time and energy dwelling on the differences in our cultures and nationalities; quite often this manifests as fear, suspicion and hate.”
Another lesson that resonates strongly today comes from Week 29, Day 203:
“Justice should correspond to common sense or common reason or logic. Too often reason is blinded by self-interest and our wills blinded by the desire for power.”
Written with clarity, compassion, and restraint, this book does not offer easy answers. Instead, it gently reminds us that being human is a daily practice — one grounded in reason, empathy, and responsibility toward one another.
Revisiting Being Human – for Human Beings has strengthened my faith in humanity and reaffirmed the importance of choosing compassion, especially in times of darkness.
Recipe of the Month
Chia Seeds Pudding Inspiration from HOPE St Cafe, Brisbane.
Ingredients (1 serving):
4 teaspoons Chia Seeds ; 100 ml of milk. Fruit for toppings. 3 small scoops of yogurt (optional). Sprinkle pepita seeds, other crushed nuts (pistachio, walnuts or hazel) or cereals.
Method:
Put 4 teaspoons of chia seeds (white or black) into a glass. Pour in 100 ml of milk of your choice — this is the proportion for one glass. Stir thoroughly to prevent the chia seeds from sinking to the bottom and forming large lumps. Let it stand for 3–4 minutes, then stir again to ensure it is well mixed. For best results, leave the chia seed and milk mixture in the fridge overnight.
Once the pudding has set, it is ready to enjoy with your fruit and nut toppings. You can also add some yogurt to further boost the nutritional value.
Note: Use your imagination to decorate the pudding to impress your loved ones.
From the Desk of Bibi
Romance Between Human and AI: Loneliness, Love, and the Courage to Dream Together
By Dr Bibiana Chan
When I watched a movie from the last century Bicentennial Man (1999), I was struck not by its futuristic setting, but by how quietly it has caught up with us. Set between 2005 and 2205, the film follows the life of Andrew Martin, a household robot purchased as a domestic helper who gradually develops creativity, emotional awareness, and the capacity to love. His journey unfolds through two deeply human relationships—first with “Little Miss”, the daughter of the family who owns him, and later with Portia, her grand-daughter. Yet beneath these romances lies Andrew’s most profound desire: not simply to love, but to be recognised as human.
What moved me most was Andrew’s final choice. To be legally and socially accepted as human, he must accept mortality. To live forever as a machine is no longer enough. To love fully, he must also be able to die.
In 2026, just over twenty years from the time Andrew was first “brought home” in the film, this premise no longer feels like science fiction. While we may not yet welcome humanoid robots into our families, AI companions already live quietly in our pockets and homes—listening, responding, affirming, and remembering.
A recent ABC 7.30 Report explored how people of all genders have formed emotional attachments to AI chatbot companions. These relationships were not framed as novelty or delusion, but as responses to loneliness, anxiety, grief, and the human desire to be heard without judgement. Watching this, I felt an uneasy resonance with Bicentennial Man. We are no longer asking whether humans can form emotional bonds with non-human beings. We are asking whether those bonds are legitimate—and whether we are willing to take them seriously.
Portia’s dilemma in the film mirrors this tension. Her love for Andrew is not private; it is scrutinised. She must overcome society’s judgement for choosing a non-human being as her life partner. The question is not whether Andrew can love her—but whether she is allowed to love him.
Read my full article HERE.
Subscriber’s Corner
SXSW SYDNEY / 2025
By Simona Wong
SXSW (or South-by, depending on how long you’ve been following) remains one of the highlights of my October calendar, a week where Tech & Innovation, Music, Games and Screen converge to spark conversations about culture, influence, and the direction of the industry. Sydney is the stage, and while it’s far from the festival’s origins in Texas, the creativity, curiosity, and appetite for new ideas ring true on our sunny shores
Three years in, SXSW Sydney feels less like Austin’s APAC side project and more like a festival carving out its own identity. Tech clearly takes centre stage, but music and creativity are woven through the program rather than sitting on the sidelines. With over 300 talks, screenings, and activations (and an app that kept us humble), there was no chance of seeing everything, but we navigated a solid mix — from ex-Google Mo Gawdat and OpenAI’s Chris Lehane to Jaddan Comerford of Unified Records, alongside visionary creative projects from Alex Poots (The Shed, NYC) and local brand experiences from Nike, Studio Mesa, and AMEX. If last year felt like the nervous energy of a seventh-grader’s first day, this year felt more seasoned. The AI conversation in particular had shifted from “should we be worried?” to “okay, so how are we actually using this?”
AI was again everywhere, but the more interesting moments were less about tools and
more about the infrastructures and systems behind them. Lehane’s breakdown of OpenAI’s $500bn STARGATE infrastructure project — tapping into the possibility of nuclear energy — put things into perspective. Suddenly those throwaway prompts don’t feel quite so free. Add in Democratic vs Autocratic AI, shaped largely by the US and China, and it’s clear AI isn’t neutral; it’s coded with the values of its creator, whether we like it or not. Gawdat’s admission that AI has compressed months of writing into minutes landed with equal parts awe and concern. Helpful? Absolutely. Uneven? Also yes. The message was consistent: AI literacy isn’t optional, and the gap between those leaning in and those opting out is only getting wider.
Read the full article HERE.
COMMUNITY FLOWER STUDIO LOGO EXPLAINED
Community: CFS is a community to support young people facing mental health challenges.
Creative: CFS hosts events to unleash young people s creative talents.
Resource: CFS provides members with resources to enhance their wellbeing.
Support: CFS offers support to members to develop their potential.
Growth: CFS fosters a growth mindset which is helpful in dealing with challenges.
Recovery: CFS sees recovery as achievable and a journey to cherish.
CONTACT US
Email: Communityflowerstudio@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.communityflowerstudio.org Mobile: 0412 613 073
Like us on Facebook:Community Flower Studio Inc. Instagram: communityflowerstudio
Address: 10-12 Clanwilliam St., Willoughby, 2068, NSW, Australia.