The brainchild of Heather Landini, from our Brighter Futures early intervention program for families, and supported by The Department of Education and Training, 26 September was all about kids.
The event at Ella Nagy Hall got off to an early start. Volunteers from The Men’s Shed helped to erect the shades while McKillop Rural Community Services took care of the jumping castle. The Outback Division of General Practice also provided nutritional advice and fresh fruit and vegetables.
The day was supported by Walgett Shire and Safe Families and included a visit from Mission Australia’s Creative Youth Initiatives team members – Jane Gillings and Liz Martin – who led the children in art and musical activities.
A big drawcard was the award-winning singer and entertainer Jonny Huckle who, along with Wombat Wiggle, was a huge hit with students from Lightning Ridge Central School, Little Diggers Child Care Centre, the Lightning Ridge Pre School and families from Goodooga and Collarenebri.
The day buzzed along as staff from The Neighbourhood Centre created a circus mural; the local ambulance service gave demonstrations; the Safe Families team handed out the show bags and the Yawarra Meamei Women’s Group provided tea and coffee, free books and games. The Aboriginal Higher Education even made the trip up from the University of Newcastle.
Mission Australia’s Far West team pulled together to make the Big Day Out a big success. Many thanks to Giselle Beaumont of Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) Lightning Ridge; Kate Wallace of Youth Connections Walgett; Greg Smith of Brighter Futures Coonamble; Richard Bevis of HASI Coonamble, and Carolyn Eves and Karla Stanton, both of HASI Coonabarabran for their hard work.
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