Step Into Our Secret Garden: Celebrate Mental Health & CFS’ 6th Birthday!
Anna R. (Yr 9 student completing a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award) wrote,
This October marks the beginning of ‘Mental Health Month’, dedicated to helping people learn about ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as culturally appropriate techniques to help young Aboriginal community members.
One organisation, ‘WayAhead’, has created posters that include helpline numbers, online resources, and tips, such as noticing if something has changed in your life (E.g, feeling strange about a situation or person, feeling overwhelmed, etc.), Acknowledging the need for Additional support, and taking Action to improve your wellbeing. This method is known as ‘The Three As’ or ‘Taking Steps on Your Wellbeing Journey’ The site also offers self-help tools, such as resources available on the websites of Black Dog Institute and Smiling Minds.
If you’re in need of mental health support, click here. Additionally, call 000 for serious emergencies. Click HERE to read more.
Bibi wrote,
World Mental Health Day is 10/10!
Every year, World Mental Health Day reminds us of the importance of raising awareness and taking action to support mental wellbeing. It’s a time for communities worldwide to come together, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations about mental health challenges.
This year, Mental Health Australia’s theme is Connect with Your Community. At CFS, we know how powerful social connection can be. When we feel safe, seen, and heard in our communities – whether that’s with friends, family, or a local group – we feel cared for and supported. And that’s one of the best way to maintain mental wellbeing.
Community looks different for everyone. It could be our CFS family, a book club, a community choir, a sport club, your workplace, or even an online space (e.g. coach choir). What matters is finding those places and people where you can show up as your authentic self, and where connection fosters growth and mutual support.
To strengthen mental health advocacy, Mental Health Australia also encouraged people to contact their local MPs and call for stronger support of mental health services — both clinical and community-led initiatives like those at CFS. Every voice helps remind decision-makers that no one should be left behind.
On the weekend of 10/10, we encourage everyone in our CFS family to take a moment to reach out, check in, or join in. Whether it’s a chat over flowers, sharing a laugh, or lending a hand, every act of connection makes a difference. If you are in Willoughby or Chatswood, why not swing by CFS’ Mental Health Week Pop-up stall on Sat 11/10 to grab a ‘Petal-it-Forward’ rose stem and connect with your community.
Together, let’s celebrate World Mental Health Day by nurturing the ties that help us flourish – as individuals, and as a community.
Stay tuned for our upcoming Secret Garden event, creative workshops or laughter yoga classes. We’ll continue to grow connection through flowers and creativity!,
Reflecting on past events
Reflection on CFS’ debut DIY Flower Bar
On Saturday 27 September, we hosted CFS’ first DIY (Dried) Flower Bar — a small but meaningful workshop where participants explored creativity and emotions through flowers with minimum instructions.
One young member’s arrangement captured feelings of loneliness and melancholy. In her artist statement, she wrote:
“The purples and blues express a quiet sadness that is rarely seen or recognised. The feeling of not being noticed emphasises a cool, numb detachment from life.”
She later replied to my message to thank her for participating in this workshop:
“Thank you for inviting me! I had a great time, and being able to reflect on my emotions made it even better.”
With just 6 participants, the workshop was intimate and impactful. Drafting artist statements and curator notes allows us to share these stories more widely, inviting others to engage with our exhibits. I also called on my LinkedIn network of mental health professionals to attend our Wishing Flower Exhibition:
Feeling LONELY? You are not ALONE! Reminded you of your teenage years? Join us and send positive vibes to the teenagers who need to hear comforting words at the Secret Garden ‘Wishing Flower Exhibition’. Book your tickets here (use code ‘EARLYBIRD’ for $5 off for up to 2 tickets (valid until 11th Oct).
WHAT’S ON in Oct 2025?
Youth Mentoring Program
Dr Bibiana Chan, CF, and other CFS members in various professions are available to mentor young people, share their work experiences. 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
Mental Health Month Pop-up Stall on Sat 11th Oct
This Mental Health Month Pop-up Week, our volunteers will give out beautifully fragrant local roses to petal-it-forward. Share with us someone you are planning to give a stem to, we’ll also give you one to say thank you for your time to spread kindness. This is what Chinese called ‘Double Happiness’! You’ll 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 .
Laughter Yoga Spring Program
Join our 2025 Spring Program on 7th & 21st October for Mental Health Month! This year’s theme: “Take Steps on Your Well-being Journey” – perfect for our Grounding Dance at the end of each class.
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.
Come, move, laugh, and feel the difference! Next class: 7th October Click HERE to register.
CFS Event of the Month
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 2025. We warmly welcome your ideas and suggestions—feel free to email them to Bibi!
Event of the Month for October
Tickets to floral arrangement workshops are allocated for youth (14 – 30 yr). Wishing Flower Exhibition is open for all ages. Book your tickets via Humanitix here.
Volunteers and CFS members, please use discount code ‘BEMYGUEST’ to get tickets to the last session (4 – 5 pm) of the Wishing Flower Exhibition. After working so hard to put together this event, you deserve to sit back and relax, ENJOY the beautiful Floral Arrangements! Send your good wishes to the young artists with the very cute flower-shaped post-it-notes!
Is your child often worried, nervous or scared?
The Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre at Macquarie University is offering six FREE treatment sessions tailored to treat individual child’s anxiety. Find out more HERE.
Castle Cove After-School Mandarin Class
There are many benefits of learning a 2nd language – on top of being able to master a language, you will also gain a wider perspectives in viewing things. This is increasingly important in a multicultural society like Australia. A free trial class of Castle Cove After-School Mandarin Class offering beginner to intermediate level learning for children aged 7-13. Over the past years, with a proven record of boosting students interest and acceleration in the language, our students have enjoyed learning Chinese through our songs, games, and competitions.
Time: Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Castle Cove Public School.
For details, please visit https://resiliencetogether.org.au/mandarin-class/ Enrollment for Term 4 is now open.
New mental health podcasts added to CFS webpage. Here is one of them.
Podcast (in Cantonese) on the application of AI in psychotherapy.
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 28/6/25, we raised $590.2. A total of $590.2 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
Waratah
By Bibi
The Waratah (Telopea speciosissima) is one of Australia’s most striking native plants and was proclaimed the floral emblem of New South Wales in 1962. Known for its bold crimson blooms and resilience, it holds a special place in Indigenous culture, symbolising strength and survival.
Cut Flower Care
- Trim stems: Cut about 2 cm on an angle before placing in water.
- Fresh water: Replace every 2–3 days to prevent bacteria.
- Keep cool: Avoid direct sunlight, heaters, and fruit bowls.
- Vase life: With care, Waratahs can last up to two weeks indoors.
Fun Facts
The name “Waratah” comes from the Eora Aboriginal word for red flower.
Each bloom is actually a cluster of hundreds of small flowers.
While crimson is classic, cultivars exist in pink, white, and even yellow.
Belonging to the ancient Proteaceae family, Waratahs have been around for over 90 million years.
Once threatened by wild harvesting, Waratahs are now protected and widely cultivated
Whether as a cut flower or a garden shrub, the Waratah brings colour, meaning, and resilience. Caring for this iconic bloom allows us to celebrate NSW’s natural heritage and the enduring beauty of one of Australia’s most treasured plants.
I bought a dozen Waratah stems at the Flower Market recently. I played with the stems and demonstrated some FAME handy tips. Try it yourself or attend the next FAME workshop at our Secret Garden Event if you are 14 – 30 or join me in Feb/March 2026 if you are over 30. Stay tuned. In the meantime, watch this clip:
Plant of the Month
Grevillea
By Anna R.
This October, we’re celebrating the Grevillea, affectionately known as the Spider Flower—a striking native shrub that adds colour, texture, and life to any garden. With its arching branches and clusters of intricate flowers, it’s perfect for a subtle burst of vibrancy while also creating a haven for wildlife.
Grevillea flowers come in a dazzling range of colours, from soft pinks and creamy whites to fiery reds and oranges, making them a favourite for brightening up garden beds. Their nectar-rich blooms attract honeyeaters, native birds, and countless pollinators like bees and butterflies. Some species even flower year-round, so there’s always something to admire!
These plants are highly adaptable, thriving in garden beds, pots, or even small courtyards. They prefer sunny spots with well-drained soil and are drought-tolerant once established, making them ideal for sustainable gardens.
Fun facts:
Some Grevilleas have curved, claw-like flowers that inspired their “spider” nickname, and Aboriginal Australians traditionally used their sweet nectar as a natural treat!
Gardening Tips:
- Plant in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
- Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth.
- Avoid phosphorus-rich fertilisers, which can harm native plants.
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
Whether you’re aiming to attract birds, add a splash of colour, or simply enjoy a low-maintenance native shrub, Grevilleas are a fantastic choice. With over 350 species across Australia, there’s a Spider Flower to suit almost every garden, making October the perfect month to plant one and watch your garden—and local wildlife—flourish!
ABC Gardening Australia presenter Jerry took us to Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, in the hills above Brisbane, to check out the amazingly beautiful Grevilleas, across 56 hectares of bushland and gardens.
For a limited time only, ‘Pregnant Onion’ is available for sale at the CFS Flower Shop.
Movie Review
Free to Flourish by Teresa Lam
A heart-warming story about a family finding hope and connection against the turmoils of the 2017 Marriage Equality debate.
On September 11th, I went to see the Cantonese short film “绽放 To Freely Flourish”, directed by Victor Wu. It was interesting to learn that Victor is an engineer by profession, and during the pandemic, he gained a new perspective on life, which led him to devote time and energy to his artistic pursuits.
The film was set in Sydney, Australia, in 2017, when the Marriage Equality debate dominated the press. The movie’s main character, Peter (an Australian-born Chinese adolescent), was exploring his sexuality and struggling with the meaning of love and family. He grappled with the ideals he saw in the political campaigns about love, but at home, his parents were often bickering, and there was no real display of “love.” At the same time, he was working through his own sexuality. Music and playing the piano seemed to be his emotional outlet. He played mechanically until a new piano teacher entered his life and changed everything. She inspired him to find his own meaning through music and not be afraid to truly feel it. Without giving away the ending, I left the film feeling positive.
I was also glad that it was specifically chosen to be screened on R U OK? Day (11/9) — to highlight the importance of inclusion, offering support without judgment, and giving oneself the opportunity to truly flourish freely.
I loved the discussion after the movie with Victor Wu (director), Cendric Yin-Cheng (President of ANTRA, Australia & New Zealand Tongzhi Rainbow Alliance), and Su (Xufeng Su), psychologist. The discussion reminded me of my Chinese culture and the unique ways Chinese parents show love (through food, not hugs or words). Often CALD parents, especially first-generation migrants, are so focused on how their child should turn out — in terms of achievement — that they neglect to see the child for who they truly are.
This often leads to mental health challenges, and the adult child may not be able to express what they are feeling or facing.
I learnt that to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, I need to be a visible supporter. I am to value diverse identities and experiences. I am to stand up for all, not just one.
It was a thought-provoking movie, which I really enjoyed.
Recipe of the Month
Green Goddess soup (original recipe by Recipe Tin ). Photo credits: Teresa Lam
Reflections on this recipe by Teresa Lam.
Living with my 86 yr old mum, I am always very conscientious of her nutritional intake, as her teeth are bothering her a bit. She disclosed recently that chewing leaf vegetables are hard and often, after chewing food, her jaws are tired.
With this in mind, I decided to commit to making a pot of vegetable soup every week, to supplement our meals. I came across this amazing recipe – Green Goddess Soup and I had to make it! It was delicious and easy to make, especially if you have a stick blender. My mum really likes it and we sprinkle Nori Komi Furikake on top. You can add some crushed nuts or shredded roasted seaweed on top as well.
From the Desk of Bibi
A Letter to my local Federal MP
By Dr Bibiana Chan
This year, Mental Health Australia encouraged all of us to reach out to our local MPs — Federal, State, or local government — to let them know that mental health matters to our communities. I recently wrote to the Senior Advisor for Hon. Nicolette Boele, my local Federal MP, to share my concerns and hopes. It’s important that we remind our representatives that we care deeply about the mental health of our loved ones, and that we expect serious investment in both effective treatment and community-led services (like the programs we offer at the Community Flower Studio). Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind.
Mr Rob Mills,
Senior Advisor to Hon. Nicolette Boele.
22nd Sept 2025
Hi Rob,
Thank you for the opportunity to meet with Hon. Nicolette Boele alongside other Chinese community leaders. I’ve taken some notes (as a professional helper, I listen). While my memory is fresh, I’ve summarised below some key reflections from the meeting, with a focus on mental health and community wellbeing issues that Chinese-Australian communities are facing. I hope this will be useful in informing Nicolette’s engagement and policy priorities. There are four key areas to consider. I’ll address them one by one:
- Unrealistic expectations and perfectionism,
- Stigma around mental illness,
- Sense of belonging and social identity,
- Loneliness, social cohesion, and intergenerational exchange.
1. Unrealistic expectations and perfectionism
Many in the Chinese community grow up with high — often unrealistic — expectations of themselves. Perfectionism, a personality trait associated with a greater risk of clinical depression, is common. Chinese-Australians are often told from a young age that they must work twice as hard to gain the same recognition as their Anglo-Australian peers. Parents may also set demanding expectations, leaving children caught between two cultures. I first explored this issue when I hosted a parenting forum in 2000.
Read my full letter HERE.
Subscriber’s Corner
My Thoughts by David Robertson
As I sit perched on an rocky outcrop I meditate and loose myself in wonder. . . .
I see the beauty of the land
The rugged rocks, twisted trees, the winding rapids, birds, animals and the many various flowers
O what beauty, O what delights.
I hear the nothingness in the stillness of silence
Then the wind arrives . . . .
In I second one sees the rippling waters in the rocky rapids,
glistening in the radiant sunlight.
O what beauty, What a delight.
But I hear one say “what did you hear” in that nothingness, stillness and silence
I hear the still small voice of family and friends past and present,
I hear their cry’s – I feel their pain, I hear their laughter – I feel their joys,
The innermost thoughts of my soul revealed.
I smell the scent of those glorious tiny blossoms
The sweet icy cold dew on the alpine grasses
The odor of decaying vegetation
And everything in-between.
O what it is to be alive to nature.
I feel at peace
With myself,
with my God,
with my family and my friends,
wherever they may be.
And I remember God’s
ever abounding LOVE
As He holds out to me His graceful creative hands.
Am I caught in a world that’s too busy. . . .
To see
To love
To listen
Or am I willing to change?
I Feel so many people miss the ever so small thing in life which to me are ever so important. In saying this, I am not immune to missing them also.
Duffy Newspaper
Meet a 10-Year-Old Journalist-in-the-Making!
A friend in Canberra shared these adorable images of the ‘Duffy Newspaper’—a hand-printed monthly created by a brilliant 10-year-old. Her mission? To inspire adults to care about the suburb she loves most. Hats off to this young changemaker—simply brilliant!
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.