Festive Christmas joy across our Centres
Celebrating Christmas with community, creativity and cheer.
The Christmas season is a time for connection, celebration and community, and this year our Activity Centres embraced the spirit of the holidays with an abundance of warmth, creativity and joy. From festive decorations to heartfelt performances, each Centre came together to create moments that captured the special magic of Christmas.
Celebrating Christmas across our Centres
Each Centre added its own special touch to the celebrations with different Christmas activites.
At Gosford, the Christmas spirit arrived early as Dolly donned her Santa disguise and kicked off the festive decorating. Clients were also treated to a heartfelt performance from the daughter of our Activity Officer Nicole, who sang and played guitar, filling the room with warmth and joy.
Over at Raymond Terrace, festive excitement filled the space as clients began their Christmas celebrations. A standout moment was a beautiful violin performance by a very talented six‑year‑old, creating a magical atmosphere that everyone adored.
In Gorokan, the team transformed the Centre into a festive wonderland as Christmas approached. Thanks to a generous donation from Bunnings of a Christmas tree and decorations, the entire space glows with holiday cheer and gratitude.
Meanwhile in Woy Woy, the month began with a holiday craft workshop where participants created handmade decorations and personalised greeting cards. The Centre was alive with creativity, connection and festive spirit as everyone joined in the fun.
We’re still feeling the joy from our Activity Centre Christmas party which was a truly special day. Our team brings so much happiness to our clients and to one another, and we’re incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such dedication and spirit.
With more than 120 clients, guests and volunteers celebrating across our four Centres, the day was filled with laughter, music and the kind of moments that remind us why this time of year feels so magical.
All of that festive energy inspired me to capture the spirit of the season in a poem.
A festive rhyme for holiday time
'Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the Centres,
Excitement was building for all those who enter.
The tinsel was hung up by Kath with great care,
In hopes that the festive joy soon would be there.
The clients were settled all snug in their chairs,
With Maz ensuring they had not any cares;
While Rach and Addie in holiday shirts,
Were handing out coffees and tasty desserts.
When out in the room there arose such a clatter,
Jane peeked around to see what was the matter.
Away to the craft tables Kate flew like a flash,
To save all the glitter from a terrible crash.
The light from the tree gave a luster below,
To the faces of friends in the soft, warm glow.
When, what to Nicole’s wondering eyes did appear,
But a room full of people just buzzing with cheer.
With lively music and games coming fast,
Craig knew that this party was going to be a blast.
More rapid than rabbits the team they all came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Lisa! Now, Rachel! Now, Renee and Bec!
On, Tracey! On, Lisa! Let’s check every spec!
Come on, Bek! Let's get moving! Let's answer the call!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
The leftover pav was covered with flies,
The laughter it mounted right up to the sky.
So up to the dance floor the clients they flew,
With the help of the staff, and some new dances too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard down the hall,
The sound of a carol being sung by them all.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
The whole team of staff came in with a bound!
They were covered in ribbons from head down to toe,
With smiles that were ready to get up and go;
They joked with the clients and shared funny tales,
Of Christmas adventures and holiday sales.
The day was filled up with such joy and delight,
The bonds in the room felt incredibly tight.
Whatever the activity, whatever the game,
We felt like a family in all but the name.
They sprang to the door when the home buses came,
But the feeling of joy, it remained just the same.
And I heard them exclaim, as they drove out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"