What a Year It’s Been... and How Excited We Are for What’s Ahead

What a year it’s been for LatinOz Queensland.

A year of conversations, shared moments, challenges, celebrations and, above all, community. A year where ideas turned into action, where families found spaces to connect, and where culture, learning and support came together in meaningful ways.

Looking back on 2025 fills us with pride, not just for what we achieved, but for how we achieved it. Every program, every gathering and every collaboration was built through the energy, generosity and commitment of our community.

As we stand on the doorstep of a new year, we are not only reflecting on what we have accomplished, we are feeling deeply excited about what lies ahead. 2026 marks a special milestone for LatinOz QLD, as we prepare to celebrate five years of building community, creating opportunities and nurturing a strong sense of belonging.

Empowering women through QWINBIZ

In 2025, QWINBIZ continued to grow as a space of learning, confidence and connection for migrant women. Under the theme From Vision to Impact, the program supported participants as they shaped ideas into tangible projects, strengthened their skills and built supportive networks.

The year concluded with a Business Expo that brought together participants from QWINBIZ 2023, 2024 and 2025. Seeing different generations of women come together to share experiences, offer guidance and inspire one another was a powerful reminder that impact does not end when a program finishes. It grows when the community stays connected.

Looking ahead, QWINBIZ 2026, The Power of Ideas, will continue this journey by supporting women at the early stages of their ideas while strengthening confidence, leadership and long term vision.

Growing together through Lazos LatinOz

In 2025, Lazos LatinOz became a meeting point for families, culture and shared experiences. What started as a space to connect through language and heritage grew into regular monthly gatherings where the whole family could belong.

Each encounter carried its own magic. Music, stories, creativity and laughter filled the space as children explored their imagination through art, dance, books and play. Parents and caregivers shared meaningful conversations, reflected on bilingual parenting, and found reassurance in knowing they were not alone in their journey. Around a shared afternoon snack, families connected naturally, creating moments that felt familiar, warm and deeply human.

Throughout the year, Lazos LatinOz celebrated culture in many forms. Storytelling and poetry in Spanish, creative workshops inspired by our roots, music and dance, and reflections on identity and heritage all became part of the experience. Moments such as Book Week, cultural celebrations and the shared recognition of meaningful dates invited families to honour where they come from while building new memories together in Australia.

One of the most special aspects of Lazos LatinOz in 2025 was seeing how community took shape over time. Families returned month after month, children grew more confident in their language, and bonds were formed not only between participants, but across generations. As the year came to a close, the final gathering felt like a celebration for the heart, marking the end of a year filled with beautiful experiences and shared growth.

Lazos LatinOz continues to be a space where culture is lived, language is celebrated, and community is felt. A place where everyone fits, roots are honoured, and connections are woven gently with care, joy and intention.

Protecting and empowering our community with Guanaco Cybersecurity

In 2025, LatinOz QLD proudly launched Guanaco Cy-bersecurity, a new program supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs. Guanaco Cybersecurity was created with a clear purpose: to care for and protect our Spanish speaking community across Australia by providing accessible, culturally relevant information.

Throughout the year, Guanaco reached people through virtual sessions, in person workshops and digital content designed to be clear, practical and inclusive. By meeting the community where they are, Guanaco Cybersecurity helped build awareness, confidence and knowledge, reinforcing the importance of looking after one another.

Evolving as an organisation

May marked an important moment of transition for LatinOz Queensland, with changes within our working team that invited reflection, renewal and growth. As a community led organisation, we continue to evolve by learning, adapting and strengthening the way we work together.

This transition opened the door to new voices, ideas and energy. As we move forward, we warmly welcome those who wish to continue contributing to LatinOz QLD, whether as volunteers, collaborators or members.

Membership plays a key role in sustaining our work and supporting our programs. Members actively participate in the organisation through their right to vote at the Annual General Meeting and their ability to nominate themselves to be part of the committee. These opportunities help ensure that LatinOz QLD remains transparent, representative and guided by the community it serves.

Building better access through our new digital home

This year also marked an important step forward with the transition to a new LatinOz Queensland website. Designed with accessibility and community in mind, our new digital space makes it easier for families, participants and supporters to find information, access resources and stay connected.

Through the website, members can access exclusive materials related to our programs, explore resources created specifically for them, and benefit from discounts available to members. This transition reflects our commitment to creating clear and inclusive pathways to information, learning and participation, both online and within our programs.

Celebrating culture, community and collaboration

Beyond our programs, 2025 was also a year rich in shared celebrations and meaningful collaborations. Events such as the Peña 25 de Mayo, Latin Kids Fiesta, the celebration of Día de Muertos and our volunteer gatherings allowed us to honour culture, recognise contributions and strengthen community ties across generations.

We were also humbled to see our work acknowledged through nominations across various awards, including the Queensland Volunteer Awards, Women in Tech, Tech for Nonprofits, 7NEWS Community Impact and the Queensland Multicultural Awards. These recognitions reflect the collective dedication of volunteers, partners and community members.

Throughout the year, we had the privilege of collaborating with other organisations by supporting initiatives such as the Latin American Film Festival, Arepazo, Hola Networking Event, Migrant Expo 2025, and so much more!. These partnerships reminded us that community impact grows stronger when organisations support one another.

Looking ahead to 2026

As we look towards 2026, LatinOz Queensland prepares to celebrate five years as a community organisation. This milestone invites reflection, gratitude and renewed commitment. It is an opportunity to honour the journey so far while continuing to grow with intention, care and sustainability.

Everything we have built, and everything still to come, is made possible by the people who walk alongside us. Our volunteers, participants, partners and supporters are at the heart of LatinOz QLD.

As we move forward, we do so with excitement, responsibility and a shared belief in the power of community.

If this year has shown us anything, it is that the best is still ahead, and we are ready to build it together.