Adelaide kids enjoy a day at the zoo

More than 80 children had the opportunity to meet Adelaide Zoo’s superstar giant pandas last week, thanks to Mission Australia and our generous corporate donors.

Among the visitors were children of refugee families, young mothers and children from homeless and crisis-care backgrounds.

Mission Australia arranged the visit to Adelaide Zoo after the children nominated it as a place they’d like to visit – particularly to see the new panda exhibit. With the help of an anonymous corporate sponsor as well as generous bus operators and food providers, Mission Australia staff made it happen.

“The children received the VIP treatment and got to see the giant pandas,Wang Wang and Funi,” said Jillian Paull, Mission Australia’s State Director, South Australia. “They also all received goodie bags that included donated books.

“There were a lot of parents and some grandparents who made a family day of it - a lot of the parents and children had never been to the zoo, so it was a special event.”

The children all sported dazzling butterfly wings – Mission Australia’s symbol of transformation. The 25 Mission Australia Community Services and Employment Solutions staff members who supported them on the day also glammed it up in black T-shirts featuring the word ‘Transform’ in glittery letters.

Mission Australia’s own Simon Lappin also kept the smiles alive with his guitar and supply of fun songs.