Community figure on Brisbane’s bayside, Floranel Budziosz, passes away aged 69

A community on Brisbane’s bayside has come together to farewell one of their key figures who played a major role in the area’s rejuvenation.

Wynnum Herald 2010 Business Achievers Awards – Floranel Budziosz and Di Rieger from Wynnum Manly Tourism and Visitor Information Centre after winning Community Service and Non-Profit Organisation.

The community on Brisbane’s bayside has come together to mourn the loss of a pioneer and “much-loved” figure who helped kickstart the area’s rejuvenation.

Wynnum West resident Floranel Budziosz, who volunteered and worked in several different roles across a variety of organisations for more than two decades helping promote the bayside, died on June 21.

Residents and community figures, including Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta, came together today to farewell Ms Budziosz at her funeral service in Wynnum.

Floranel Budziosz during her time as Wynnum Manly Tourism and Visitor Information Centre co-ordinator.

The mother-of-three and grandmother to three was a key bayside identity, helping develop the Manly Harbour Village into one of the top retail and business precincts across Brisbane through her work with the Manly Chamber of Commerce.

She also helped turn the area into a destination for visitors and rejuvenated tourism in Wynnum Manly, assisting with the development of the Wynnum Manly Visitor Centre.

But her involvement in the community didn’t stop there, Ms Budziosz held roles in other groups such as the Girl Guides and many others over the years.

Floranel Budziosz with Councillor Peter Cumming at the opening of the Wynnum Manly Visitor Centre. Picture: Paul Guy

David Farley, who was the president of Manly Harbour Village for 35 years and worked closely with Ms Budziosz, said she was a unique woman.

“For over 20 years, Floranel Budziosz was a key member of the Manly Harbour Village Chamber of Commerce, Wynnum Manly Visitors Information Centre, and Manly Halloween Street Party and Days in the Park committees,” he said.

“Floranel’s organisational and networking skills, her sharp mind and amazing memory for names, contact details and phone numbers meant sharing committee responsibilities with her eased the load on everyone.

“With an eye on logistics, outstanding people skills, a wicked sense of humour, and a very contagious laugh, she was someone to depend on, someone to ensure processes were followed and someone at the end of the day who new how to kick up her heels and enjoy the success of an event.

Floranel Budziosz with Ross Vasta (middle) and former longtime president of Manly Harbour Village David Farley.

“The Manly Harbour Village Chamber of Commerce, The Manly Halloween Street Party Committee, the various other committees she served on, the volunteers she supported, along with the wider community will miss this indomitable, unique woman called Floranel.”

State Member for Lytton, Joan Pease, said she would be dearly msised.

“Floranel Budziosz-Finlay was a great community worker and friend, and she will be sadly missed in the community,” she said.

“I worked with her years ago at Wynnum Manly Employment and Training Centre and over the years in her many volunteering capacities, especially Wynnum Chamber.

“She was kind and hard working and a fierce and loyal supporter to the Manly Harbour Village Chamber.”

Councillor for Wynnum Manly, Peter Cumming, said she did a terrific job in any role she was involved in on the bayside.

“She was a genuinely nice person to deal with, very fair-minded, very good at what she did and she was very much-loved and well-liked in the community,” he said.

Mr Vasta posted a tribute on his Facebook page, saying Ms Budziosz was an incredible, generous and kind-hearted woman who was fiercely passionate about the bayside.

“She was an integral part of our community, being deeply invested in groups such as the Manly Chamber of Commerce and Manly Harbour Village,” he said.

“It would also be no small thing to say, that through her professional and voluntary work, Floranel help revitalise the image of Wynnum Manly Tourism.

“I will never forget when I first met Floranel, her sharp mind and great sense of humour made her a force to be reckoned with.

“To see so many people celebrating and honouring Floranel today stands testament to the respect she had in our community.

“Vale, Floranel, you will be deeply missed by all.”