Impact Report 2016/17Variety – the Children’s Charity NT

Contents The Why 1

The How 2

The numbers 4

Kids stories 6

How you helped 9

Supporter thanks 12

The Why

Katrina Fong Lim General Manager,

Variety - the Children’s Charity NT

Foster Stavridis Chief Barker,

Variety - the Children’s Charity NT

Variety Impact Report 1

We believe that all Territory Kids should have the opportunity to live, laugh and learn. That is why we do what we do at Variety NT.

Every day we work hard to give kids who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs, a chance to experience more of life. Be it mobility devices, Sunshine Coaches, assisted breathing, special IT equipment or just a unique experience, we take every opportunity to help a child who is facing a special challenge to reach their full potential.

We seek to extend these opportunities to the far reaches of the vast outback through our partnerships with organisations like St John Ambulance. A grant to St John has seen over 50,000 children being given the chance

to learn first aid from a specially modified Ambulance. Each child is now better equipped to help their friends in need.

For the first time in our history Variety NT was recipient of a Heart Award. A Variety International Award, this was in recognition of our efforts to having a positive impact on the lives of children, families and communities within the Northern Territory.

None of this is possible without the support of everyone in the community from our corporate partners, to those individuals who give a small amount every payday, our amazing volunteers and staff and our dedicated families who care so much for their children. Thank you for helping Variety NT to make an impact.

We believe that all kids deserve a fair go in life.

So we help kids with these challenges:

Sick Disadvantaged Special Needs

2 Variety Impact Report

Variety Impact Report 3

By delivering these programs:

Variety Freedom Program

Variety Future Kids

Program

Variety Caring for

Kids Program

is the gift of independence, self-esteem, mobility and communication.The Freedom Program aims to assist children gain mobility and independence through the provision of equipment such as wheelchairs, positioning systems and postural splints. The ultimate outcome is to enable everyday activities such as moving safely while playing and not expending too much energy on just remaining upright. In the broader context it also enables children to join in family and community activities such as going for a walk, cycling and going to the beach.

is the gift of education, achievement, experiences and play.The Future Program aims to ensure children have a positive, interactive classroom experience through the provision of computerised communication and learning systems. The challenges and frustrations for a child when they are unable to just simply communicate are immense. A specific aspect of the Future Kids Program is the provision of scholarships to assist children achieve their full potential in the area of arts, music and sports.

is the gift of support, survival and recovery.The Caring for Kids Program is about supporting children’s health and wellbeing through the provision of medical equipment such as insulin pumps and nebulisers. This equipment enables the child to be cared for in their own home, minimising the need for hospital admissions, disruptions to family life, as well as alleviating some of the financial burden associated with managing chronic and rare conditions.

4 Variety Impact Report

To create lasting impact around Australia

Number of Aussie kids impacted by Variety

this year

108,107

And a better life for the kids of the Northern Territory

Variety Impact Report 5

We granted:

$159,719 to help kids

in need

We supported: We impacted:

around 30

different conditions

13,000kids in

NT

6 Variety Impact Report

Goanna ParkGoanna Park Adventure Camp is a unique experience offered by Variety NT with its core mission being to challenge teenagers with mild physical or mental disabilities to overcome barriers with an aim to increase self esteem and confidence. This is achieved through a busy week-long calendar of activities, but also time spent together to develop friendships and express themselves in a safe and very supporting environment

“Goanna Park saved our sanity. Harrison left us barely eating and returned a happy healthy boy”

But numbers can only tell part of the story...

Variety Impact Report 7

AprylAt 2 months of age Apryl was diagnosed with a severe and chronic medical condition - Pfeiffer Syndrome (Type 2), with craniofacial abnormalities. She has a tracheostomy tube to enable breathing. Apryl needs significant ongoing 24 hour care from her parents. Due to her tracheostomy, she needs someone with her at all times, and her parents need to monitor her to observe if there is any evidence of obstruction of her airway, and perform procedures to manage this. She needs frequent suctioning, and tracheostomy tube replacement (weekly). Without this, her condition is life threatening. With this care, Apryl has a good prognosis. Her ongoing medical needs and requirements will include frequent visits back to Melbourne, and cranial reconstructive surgery over the next few years.

Watarrka OrchardAs part of our Caring for Kids program Variety NT supported the Watarrka Foundation to establish a fruit tree orchard. The trees are planted and flourishing. They will be of an enduring benefit by providing healthy and delicious fruit to current children and future generations, including Indigenous children at the Lilla primary school and also in the Wanmarra and Upanyali communities.

Watarrka Foundation chairman Paul Jensen commented “We are delighted that thanks to the support from Variety NT we have now implemented this important project. The fruit trees together with our other initiatives will promote healthy eating choices that will make a positive enduring difference to the nutrition of the Watarrka communities’ children and their families. Thank you once again Variety NT for your support.”

8 Variety Impact Report

RileyRiley is a 13 year old boy with Cerebal Palsy, left side hemiplegia. He wears his splint every day to school to help encourage him to use his hand with every day school tasks. Second Splint is the only splint Riley will tolerate to wear.

Riley’s upper limb splints provide a significantly improved resting posture at the elbow and wrist. His thumb is also in an improved posture, which increases ease of placing objects in his hand.

MaxThanks to Variety NT we now also have a safe ramp for Max to use at the back of our house. Like many families in the NT we spend a lot of time on the back veranda and in the backyard.

Max can now go where he wants to, whether it is in his walker or his wheelchair. He loves following his big brother around and now he doesn’t need to ask for assistance, so it has been a great improvement for his independence.

It also means that I get to sit back and watch them running around in stead of having to get up frequently to help Max over the door steps.

Variety Impact Report 9

Volunteers

Our volunteers are a dedicated lot. They cook, clean and file. They fundraise, transport and support. They scoop ice cream, count Santas and Utes and wrap presents. They are our dedicated committee

members, bashers, corporate partners, event organisers and bottle washers. This year they worked over 10,000 hours for the kids.

Woolworths Supermarkets

The partnership with Woolworths and Variety SA/NT has raised a terrific $50,000 for NT. Stores have supported Variety through raffles, sausage sizzles & token fundraisers. As a result Variety NT has been able to organise Goanna Park, a Sensory Garden at Mimik-ga Centre; and help little Apryl to breathe. Thank you Woolworths for all you do.

Sandbar Cricket

This is a unique fun day out for the entire family. The Sandbar, off Cullen Bay, is an iconic destination for locals and presents itself as the perfect cricket pitch for a match between Team Variety and Team Trailer Boat Club in a battle of the wickets. Forming partnerships with organisations like the Trailer Boat Club gives us the opportunity to increase participation and fundraising. This year $6,500 was raised in this typically Territory way.

Variety of Chefs

Celebrity Chefs Lynton Tapp, Rachael Ciesiolka, Jimmy Shu and Steve Sunk produced an outstanding menu. Guests feasted on Australian Seafood, Spatchcock, Belly Pork and a Macadamia Dessert and enjoyed fine wines and beers thanks to XXXXGold and Top Shelf services. A special night that raised $34,000 to help the NT’s special kids to live, laugh and learn.

How you helped

How you helped

10 Variety Impact Report

Variety NT Bash - A Variety of Rivers 5-12 Aug 2017 The Bash remains our cornerstone fundraiser and a highlight on our calendar. In 2017 it was red dust and blue skies as we trundled our way through rivers, corrugations and potholes from Mataranka to Katherine. Our cozy lot of 13 teams managed to raise over $130,000, which is a fantastic effort. Even better, our Virgin Bash Team the Muppets, from Gove, took out the Top Hat Award for highest fundraiser with $12,680.70! Bashers travelled over 1,500 km navigating some of the NT’s prettiest outback tracks starting at Mataranka Homestead and finishing at Katherine Gorge via Roper Bar, Lorella Springs, Daly Waters, Top Springs and Timber Creek having a great time catching up with old friends, making news ones, seeing the sights of the beautiful NT and bringing the fun and frivolity to kids in remote schools and communities along the way.

Teams come from all over Australia to take part in the NT Bash it’s that good, and we are looking forward to another big adventure next year as we head from Tennant Creek in the heart of the NT to Townsville on the edge of the beautiful QLD coast, which teams have already begun registering and fundraising for, so we anticipate a very successful 2018 NT Bash.

Thanks go to our major sponsors Southern Cross TV, Lion Nathan, Darwin Container Service (thanks Porky!), Thrifty, Top Shelf Beer, Wine & Spirits, St Johns Ambulance, Keep Moving NT, Sign City and Dreamedia Creative.

Variety Impact Report 11

Santa Fun Run

The Darwin Waterfront was awash with Santas when around 350 Santas worked up a sweat with the warm up Zumba and then walked, ran and rode their way around the 2.3km track. Santa came for a visit, they

chased down Pokemon, played watergames and enjoyed a read of the Sunday Territorian. These were Clauses for a Cause and together raised just over $4,000 for our Variety families.

Australia Day UTE Run

Australia’s original UTE Run was in it’s 16th year and around 350 vehicles turned up for the celebrations. Local Radio Station Hot 100 came on board as naming rights sponsor. Event Partner; the Classic Holden Car Club, undertook the organisation for their final year. With flags flying and horns hooting it was a full on celebration for Australia Day. Special thanks also go to the Australia Day Council NT and CDU for their invaluable financial assistance helping us raise $24,640.

Holden vs Ford

They might not be made here any more but the great Australian rivalry between Holden and Ford continues at Dinah Beach Yacht Club. With both classics and new on display the community had plenty to see and do. With thanks to Variety Volunteer Darren McMasters who almost single handed ran the event, around $8,000 was raised. And the winner is… Holden by 67 votes. Better luck next year Ford.

Special Children’s Christmas Party

Over 1,300 children were invited to the Special Children’s Christmas Party. This is a much sort after invitation. With free games, food, gifts and toys the attendees are thoroughly spoilt. Left over gifts are also distributed across the NT so lots more kids were touched by this very special event.

How you helped

Thank you to our major partners

MAJOR PARTNERS

Foxy Robinson

12 Variety Impact Report

Thank you to all our supporters

Adina Waterfront Apartments

Amy Hetherington

Arafura Catering

ARB Darwin

Aroona Water

Asia United

Ben G Photography

Breakout NT

Cancer Council

Clark Rubber

Coffee with a Cop

Coke

Coopers

CPK Refrigeration

Crocodylus Park

Crocosaurus Cove

Curve Restaurant

Darwin Convention Centre

Darwin Ice Skating Centre

Darwin Let’s Zumba

Darwin Locksmiths & Hardware

Darwin Runners & Walkers club

Darwin Toilet Hire

Darwin Trailer Boat Club

Darwin Volunteer Coastguards

Darwin Waterfront Corp

Darwin Wavepool

Good Shepherd Lutheran School

Grand Touring

Guides NT

Halkitis Brothers

Humpty Doo Primary School

Junior Police Rangers

Justin Quinter

Kennards Hire

KJS Entertainment

Lo Castro Icecream

Mindi beach Surf Life Saving

Mix FM

Muffin Break Casuarina

Nemarluk School

Nestle

NT Cricket

NT Emergency Services

NT Fire Department

NT Police Traffic Division

NT Water Police

NTRS

Outback Floatplanes

Outer Edge Photography

Patriots Motor Cycle Club

RDA NT

Repco

SeaShells Broome

Seaswift

Skycity

Spectacular Jumping Croc Cruise

Spirit of Darwin

Spotlight

Stargazing

Territory Wildlife Park

Tim Storey - Top End Wines

Trafficwerx

US Marine Corps

YMCA

Zumba with Thorma & Mel

Variety Impact Report 13

SIGNIFICANT EVENT SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

Memory from our community “Our Sensory Garden project the newly re-purposed Mimik-ga Centre has created a wonderful outdoor

classroom area for our students. With the support of Variety NT we turned an overgrown dark front entrance way into a vibrant space where students can ride around on the sensory pathway, experiencing varying textures in the path, can let their imagination run wild by acting on the specially designed small central stage, use their senses of taste and smell as they water the flowers, basil and other herbs in the

small herb garden. We cannot thank Variety NT enough for helping develop this area.”

@VarietyNT

08 89812544

variety.org.au/nt

P

W

E

@varietynt

gm@varietynt.org.au

@variety_nt