Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium transformed into a winter wonderland this Tuesday, bringing Christmas cheer months early for hundreds of local children at the annual Variety Xmas Party.
Inclusive Festivities for All Abilities
Among the first families to arrive were Beresford residents Annaliese Huckle and her daughters, five-year-old Mahalia and three-year-old Lorolei. The girls managed to snap photos with Santa just before summer storms rolled through, adding an authentic Australian Christmas atmosphere to the proceedings.
The Huckle family particularly appreciated the dedicated quiet hour session, designed for children who might feel overwhelmed in crowded environments. Mahalia, who lives with an intellectual developmental disorder, benefited greatly from this thoughtful accommodation.
"She can sometimes get overwhelmed in busy spaces, so to have a chance to come down to an event like this without the crowds means that she can do everything she wants without it getting too much," Ms Huckle explained.
Christmas Magic in Action
The stadium buzzed with excitement as hundreds of children and their families enjoyed an afternoon packed with festive activities. The event featured live performances, sports, games, karaoke, roving characters, a petting zoo, and the clear crowd favorite - a bubble-blowing performer.
For the Huckle sisters, however, the jumping castle remained the undisputed highlight. "It was the clear winner last year, it will be difficult to get them off it," their mother joked.
Every child received a free gift from Santa to place beneath their Christmas tree, along with food and refreshments, ensuring nobody missed out on the seasonal magic.
Building Community Through Joy
Lara Kerr, Head of Kids Support at Variety NSW/ACT, emphasized the organization's mission to bring happiness to children facing sickness, disadvantage, or disability. The free event has been running since 2017, only pausing during COVID restrictions when it transformed into a toy drive.
"Our biggest mission is to bring joy to kids and this event is this mission brought to action," Ms Kerr stated. "It's a chance for kids from all walks of life to come and have fun and be part of a community and have a big smile on their face."
Inclusion and accessibility formed central pillars of the event planning. "Some kids may not get the chance to attend many parties like this so there is a real effort to make sure that all the kids can access the event and be comfortable. Inclusion and belonging are a big thing for us," Ms Kerr added.
Over the past year, Variety has impacted more than 45,000 children across NSW and the ACT through grants and sponsorships, extending support to over 180,000 children Australia-wide.
The celebration gained extra local flavor through Newcastle musician Piper Butcher, a Variety Heart Scholarship recipient, who hosted the festivities.
