Chris

What a fantastic Day Program we had yesterday, May 27th! The morning kicked off bright and early, with everyone arriving at the hub by 9:20 AM. Participants settled in with hot drinks and breakfast, enjoying some relaxed time. Some opted for creative activities like coloring, while others unwound watching TV and listening to music. Around 10 AM, a group headed out for some bowling! It was a lively session, with everyone having a great time and scoring well. A big cheer goes to Jemmerson, who came out on top as the star bowler of the day – he was absolutely thrilled! Meanwhile, Alex had a wonderful time heading off to the pool for a refreshing splash! We all arrived back at the hub around 11:30 AM, just in time for a delicious lunch of salad rolls. The afternoon was all about relaxation and continued enjoyment. Participants chatted around the table, continued with coloring, listened to music, and watched movies. And the fun didn't stop there for Alex, who joined Emily back at the hub for an energetic sing and dance session to his favorite tunes! It sounds like a truly well-rounded and enjoyable day for everyone involved, filled with both active fun and relaxing moments!

What a fantastic day we had exploring the Queenscliff markets and enjoying a pub lunch yesterday. Everyone in the group was incredibly engaging, smiling, and just genuinely having a great time together. We were off to Queenscliff in no time, arriving just before noon. The weather was absolutely stunning, which only added to the good vibes. The group headed straight into the market, enjoying a good browse. There were lots of smiles, some beautiful earrings found, and a few much-needed coffees purchased. The live band playing in the background created a lovely atmosphere for our market exploration. After soaking up the market scene, our tummies started rumbling, so we made our way to the pub for our 1:30 PM lunch booking. We found our table and settled in for a nice relax. Everyone ordered their meals – one of the participants even got to enjoy their wine! It was wonderful to see the group so engaged in conversation, with everyone included. Another live band at the pub provided a great soundtrack to our meal. It was truly a lovely day seeing everyone so happy and connected. With full bellies and happy hearts, it was time to head back to Ballarat. The chatter continued all the way home, a testament to how much fun we'd all had. We wrapped up the day by 5 PM, with everyone seemingly having enjoyed their time and the beautiful sunshine. No issues or concerns whatsoever – just a brilliant Sunday spent together!

What a wonderful day we had today! We kicked things off bright and early with pickups, and by 9:15 AM, Drew, Taylah, and the participants were all at the hub, ready for our first adventure. Our morning began with a cozy stop at Pipers, where everyone enjoyed a warm drink and some lovely chats around the table. Bellies warmed, we then took a refreshing stroll through the beautiful Botanic Gardens, even popping into the greenhouse to admire the vibrant flowers. It was a perfect start to the day! We arrived back at the hub around noon, and the delicious aroma of Spaghetti Bolognese and cheesy garlic bread soon filled the air as Drew got busy preparing lunch. Meanwhile, Rosie, Ann, and Taylah got creative, diving into some candle-making. They both absolutely loved it and crafted some truly beautiful candles! After a yummy lunch at 12:30 PM, the afternoon was all about relaxation and connection. Drew enjoyed some TV time with Jemmerson and Steven, while the group played a couple games of Uno and played with some sensory toys to finish off a good day. Another fantastic day with a truly great group! Everyone was brilliant.

We arrived at the hub by 9:15 AM and waited for Drew and Jem, who weren't far behind. Once everyone was together, we headed off to the movies at 9:30. We got our tickets and found our seats, and everyone was great throughout the movie. Chloe even managed to fall asleep, while Jem and Ann thoroughly enjoyed the film! We arrived back to the hub at 1:30 PM. Drew started preparing lunch while I sat with the group and had a chat. Once everyone had finished eating, Ann and I started some baking. Ann was super keen to help and did pretty much all of it herself, with Jem popping in and out to lend a little hand. Chloe was relaxing, watching a show, while Loughlin spent the afternoon hanging out with the boys in the front lounge! It was a relaxing afternoon overall, with Jem and Loughlin playing games with Drew in the front room, while I hung out with Ann. A great, chill day today with a wonderful group!

Just wanted to share an update on our recent outing to Werribee Open Range Zoo what a fantastic day it was! We set off with high hopes, and despite a slight detour on the highway that put us a few minutes behind schedule, spirits remained high. Once we arrived, we quickly made a pit stop to freshen up, then headed straight into the zoo to secure our bus tour tickets, which we knew would be a highlight. After a brief wander to get our bearings and soak in the initial atmosphere, we decided it was the perfect time for lunch. Everyone settled down for a good meal, providing a chance to recharge before more adventures. We also made sure to take another quick bathroom break to keep everyone comfortable. It was wonderful to see how attentive and supportive our team members were. The moment everyone was waiting for arrived – the bus tour! It was absolutely loved by all. The expansive views and the chance to see animals in such a natural setting truly captivated everyone's attention. Following the exhilarating bus ride, our next stop was a walk to see the elephants. As the day progressed, we realized we were running a bit behind our original schedule. However, we had promised the participants a stop at the gift shop on the way out, and we were committed to keeping that promise! It was a bustling end to our visit, with several participants finding some wonderful souvenirs to take home. We were all set to hop back on the bus for the journey home. The participants had an abundance of fun, and seeing their excitement and engagement made every moment worthwhile. We're already looking forward to our next adventure!

Day 2: Coastal Views and Fun! Another fantastic day on our Lorne adventure! Everyone had a great night's sleep, slowly waking up between 6:00 AM and 8:30 AM. We all enjoyed a delicious pancake breakfast together, which was a big hit! Once everyone was ready, we loaded up the van and were off by 9:00 AM. The drive to the coast was really cruisy, filled with lively conversations and engagement across the whole group. It's truly a great bunch, all looking out for one another, which makes the conversations flow so easily. We arrived at the 12 Apostles around 10:45 AM. Despite the windy and wet weather, everyone was incredibly enthusiastic to explore! We tackled the lookouts like champs, making it to all the viewpoints regardless of the conditions. Participants enjoyed seeing the iconic rock formations and hearing explanations about how some of them had fallen over time. We spent about 45 minutes taking in the breathtaking views and snapping some photos before the wind and rain encouraged us back to the warmth of the bus. From there, we headed to Port Campbell for lunch, arriving around 12:00 PM. What a beautiful place – a real hidden gem! We had a wonderful lunch at a local cafe/pub, everyone absolutely loved the food – definitely a 10/10! A few of us enjoyed a coffee, while others opted for hot chocolates or soft drinks. Around 1:00 PM, we started our journey back to the house. The drive back was much quieter, with some participants catching up on sleep. The rest of us enjoyed a relaxing ride, with some watching a footy game on a phone and others quietly enjoying the scenery. We arrived back at the house around 3:00 PM. After getting settled, we watched the last half of the footy game. Later, a couple of us headed out to IGA to grab supplies for dinner, tomorrow's lunches, and a special cake for Jacinta's birthday celebration – she was very keen to have cake! While some enjoyed downtime, watching football or just relaxing, we started cooking dinner around 5:30 PM. We were all enjoying a delicious BBQ dinner together. After dinner, we cleaned up, and everyone enjoyed a piece of birthday cake. The evening wound down with some participants watching the football and others slowly heading off to bed. It was another truly solid day with no issues or complaints. Everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and happy to be there.

Day 1: Lorne Respite Adventure Begins! What a fantastic start to our Lorne respite trip! We kicked off the day by picking up everyone from their homes and school, meeting up before hitting the road. We had a truly wonderful group this weekend, full of great conversations and engagement right from the get-go. It was lovely to see everyone chatting and getting along so well throughout the journey. Our first stop was the Forrest Brewery Company for a delicious lunch. It was a great choice and everyone really enjoyed their meals. After a satisfying meal, we jumped back on the bus, with conversation picking right back up as we continued our scenic drive down to the coast. We arrived at our Airbnb in Fairhaven around 3 PM. What a great spot! The accommodation was well-laid out, and we quickly got everyone settled into their rooms. There were no complaints as we allocated rooms and bathrooms evenly – a truly great setup. After settling in, we had a bit of downtime. We then collaborated on a shopping list for our supplies. A few of us headed out to the only independent grocer in Aireys Inlet. The prices were a bit on the high side, so we focused on getting just what we needed for the evening and tomorrow morning, planning to pick up the rest later. Back at the house, we all gathered upstairs for some relaxation. We put on a movie, Chicken Little, and everyone was pretty wiped out from the big day of driving, so it was a nice way to wind down. Around 5:30 PM, we ordered some pizzas for dinner. A couple of our participants joined for the drive to collect them. Once they arrived, we enjoyed our meal together before everyone started getting ready for bed, settling in with showers, PJs, and some footy on the TV. It was a cruisy evening. Overall, it was a really solid first day to kick off the trip! Everyone is getting on so well, there's been lots of good chatter, and everyone absolutely loves the house. It's looking like it's going to be a great weekend for everybody!

Morning Adventures & Museum Exploration! Our day started bright and early today! We hit the road before 9 AM to beat traffic and made it to the hub for hot drinks and a chat while we waited for everyone. We set off at 9:30 AM, with Drew driving and me keeping everyone entertained in the back. We arrived at the RAAF Museum around 11 AM, ready to explore. We spent a good hour and a half immersing ourselves in the fascinating history of Australian aviation. Participants enjoyed discovering the impressive collection of aircraft, learning about significant moments in RAAF history, and seeing various exhibits that showcased the evolution of flight and air force operations. It was a really engaging experience for everyone. After our time at the museum, we grabbed some much-needed lunch, which definitely boosted spirits! We headed back to Ballarat around 1 PM, dropping Rosie off at the hub. To fill some time before final drop-offs, we swung by Selkirk for some basketball. This proved to be a fantastic idea as everyone absolutely loved getting active! We spent a good amount of time shooting hoops, practicing dribbling, and enjoying some friendly games. The energy was great, and it was a perfect way to burn off some extra energy and have fun before heading home. Drop-offs commenced directly from Selkirk. Another fantastic day in the books!

This week's day program offered a great mix of activities and enjoyable moments for everyone. On Monday, the group had a fun morning of bowling, followed by some op shopping and games of pool in the afternoon. Steven continued his impressive bowling streak, winning for the second week running. Tuesday involved a creative morning of arts and crafts alongside some baking, with Ann and Sophie lending a hand to make brownies and banana bread. The group then enjoyed some time at the park, making use of the playground and playing pool. In the afternoon, some participants went to see the Minecraft movie, while others continued their arts and crafts projects. The Thursday group had a fantastic outing to Scienceworks. Drew prepared the lunch for the day, and the group set off, with Chloe riding in the front. After arriving, they had lunch and then explored the various exhibits at Scienceworks, including the Planetarium, the Lightning Room, and the interactive displays in the Nitty Gritty Super City. There was even a fun race between Drew and Chloe, with Cathy Freeman taking the win.

Our group embarked on a fun-filled weekend getaway to Phillip Island, packed with memorable experiences. Friday kicked off with a scenic road trip, culminating in the magical Penguin Parade. We witnessed the adorable penguins emerge from the ocean at sunset, a truly heartwarming sight. Saturday was action-packed, featuring a visit to the Panny's Chocolate Factory, where everyone indulged in chocolatey delights and games. The afternoon brought laughter and adventure at the Amaze N Things Fun House, with the participants navigating the maze and enjoying the quirky exhibits. After a relaxing afternoon and a lively game of tag, we enjoyed a BBQ dinner. Sunday was a more relaxed affair, filled with football watching and a delicious dinner at the RSL. Overall, it was a fantastic respite trip, filled with laughter, adventure, and camaraderie!

Week 14 Day Program: A Week of Fun, Food, and Friendship! Week 14 of our Day Program was a whirlwind of activity and shared enjoyment! We had a blast, and we wanted to share all the highlights with you. • Monday's Activities: We started the week with a classic combo: bowling, shopping, and movies. A little friendly competition at the lanes, some retail therapy, and a relaxing cinematic experience made for a perfect Monday. • Tuesday's Cooking and Crafts: Tuesday was a feast for the senses! We all teamed up to create a delicious roast, and it was a resounding success. The aroma alone was incredible! Steven was particularly enthusiastic, and his appreciation for the roast was... well, let's just say he really enjoyed the bone! We also had a creative session with arts and crafts, adding a touch of artistic flair to the day. • Thursday: Chow Mein, Bowling, and Dance Moves: Thursday was an international affair in the kitchen! We prepared a mouthwatering chicken chow mein, and we owe a massive thank you to Alex for his invaluable cooking assistance. We would truly be lost without his culinary skills. We also celebrated a belated birthday for Rosie with cake and singing! The afternoon took us to the bowling alley, where Alex, despite not claiming the bowling crown, absolutely stole the show with his unforgettable dance moves. Picture this: a mix of strikes, gutterballs, and some seriously impressive dance routines in between. He won the day with his infectious energy and brought so much laughter to everyone. It was a week filled with laughter, delicious food, and wonderful moments. Thanks to everyone for participating and making it so special!"

Our aquarium trip was a huge success! The group was eager to discover all the marine wonders, and we spent a great hour exploring before a wholesome lunch together at the cafe. The sharks, penguins, and especially the turtles were a big hit with everyone. We wrapped up the day with a visit to the gift shop, and the participants were thrilled. By 2:50 PM, we were all ready for a relaxing ride home after a busy and enjoyable day.

Our trip to the Wildlife Reserve was both fun and educational! Tap the post to see all the photos and videos from our day of learning and discovery. Let's share the amazing things we saw and learned.

Our Ocean Grove respite holiday was one to remember! To help us all cherish those moments, we've compiled photos and videos in this post. Tap the post to see them all, and please join the conversation by sharing your own experiences and highlights from the trip.

Explore the highlights of our 2025 Sundays so far! Tap the post to view photos and videos showcasing the diverse activities and experiences we've enjoyed. See how we've made the most of our Sundays, from leisurely afternoons to fun-filled outings

A glimpse into our Day Program's February & March! Tap the post to see photos and videos of participants learning new skills, building friendships, and enjoying engaging activities. From cooking to art and outings, these months were filled with growth and connection.

Relive the magic of our Phillip Island respite trip! Tap the post to view all photos and videos showcasing the stunning scenery, the penguin parade, and the joy of our participants.