We’re hosting an event!
 
Imagine having the power to host any event you wanted — no limits, no budget, and no rules. It could be a massive music festival on a tropical island, a dinner party with the most fascinating people in history, or even a completely made-up event where worlds collide. Who would you invite? What would happen there? And where would it take place?

Dear Readers week's topic is hosting an event
Let me start by telling you about how, if I was hosting an event it wouldlook, I would host an Easter party in Paris at a restaurant. How would the decoration look? Of course everything would be Easter themed but it would look so extravagant and amazing!
 
What decorations would I have? I would have a big balloon arch in Easter colours, white and gold plates and the napkins folded in fancy way that looked elegant and neat. Forks and knives on the napkins and on each table there would be a vase with flowers  and I would  invite all my friends. On arrival each guest would get a free complimentary wine or champagne and all the food would be catered for and the restaurant would play some modern pop and Easter songs.
Readers I have a question: what event would you host?
Written by Charlotte
 

Today's blog topic is: If I could host an event, what would it be?
If I could host any event, it would be a Disney festival right here in Melbourne, close to home so it's easy for me to get to. At my festival, everything will be Disney themed. We will have Disney theme rides like Cinderella's Slipper Roller Coaster, Tangled Giant Drop, Belle's Teacups, and lots more rides for all ages.
There will also be shows on all day like The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid.

The festival will have yummy food like Mickey Mouse pancakes, Lady and the Tramp spaghetti and meatballs, Snow White's candy apples, and Ratatouille's vegetable stew.
There will be characters walking around interacting with all the guests. You can get a princess or prince makeover if you like. The Fairy Godmothers will do your hair and makeup and organise a special outfit just for you!
There will be a special disco room that will play Disney music to dance along to. On the main stage there will be a karaoke competition.
Basically, I'm going to create a Disneyland at a festival.
This is Claire signing off, see you next week.
 
 
 
If I could host an event, I would do it in a cozy and quiet room because I do not like events that are too loud. The walls of the room would be lilac, which is a relaxing colour. The people there would be my intimate family and family from my mum’s side, like my aunts, uncles, grandma, and all my cousins. I would also invite my aunt from my dad’s side and her family. All of my cousins are teens and adults, so they do not run around like little kids do. It would be a family reunion event.

The event would be during the day, from 12 PM until 3 PM. I would send the invitations digitally because these days people do not use paper invitations. I would ask all my family to dress to impress or wear neat casual clothes, like a nice top and trousers. At the event, there would be yellow smiley face stickers that my family could take home. Everyone who came would get a sticker.

The food at the event would be Indonesian dishes, including yellow rice, fried chicken, kerupuk, which are Indonesian crackers, and fried tempeh, which is a soybean cake. For dessert, there would be two options people could choose from: Oreo ice cream or choc mint ice cream.

There would also be karaoke. Do you like to sing? I am not very fond of singing or dancing, but at my grandma’s birthday lunch last year, there was karaoke. Most of my aunts sang and danced to the music. Anyone who does not enjoy singing could just relax. After karaoke, we would play pass the parcel because it is a calm and relaxing game.
After the event, I would relax and take it easy, maybe have a nana nap, even though in real life I do not usually take naps unless I am unwell or tired from a big holiday.
Thanks for reading.
Jacinda signing off. Bye!
 
My topic is that I am going to the Collingwood game. It is going to be a great game.
Our topic is: what event would I like to host?
The event I would like to host would be a horror convention. We will host Chucky, Ghostface, Pennywise, and Jason Voorhees.

Everyone will be dressed like scary things such as zombies, vampires, werewolves, and Frankenstein.
There will be a ghost train with lots of jump scares. I can buy costumes and fake chainsaws and knives.
They will sell food. They will have burgers and chips.
Blog by Korey 
 
 
The topic is: I am hosting my own event. Who will be there? Where will it be?
My brother invited me to a wedding. Ooo la la! I wore a suit for the wedding, and they all had a party all night. Oh dear, my grandma was sleeping. Why did we have a party all night anyway?
So I got home and went to sleep at night time. In the morning I needed to get up early. Oh no, why me? I got up and got ready.
I met Tayla. I played golf with my friend and went out for lunch. 
From your friend TJ.
 
 
If I hosted an event it would be a party. I would invite some friends. I would have my favourite food, pizza and chips. My favourite drinks chocolate milkshakes, Fanta and lemonade. I’d play music at my party. 
From Ben. 
 
 
Today we are talking about hosting an event. (This is a fictional event which means it's come from my imagination). 
My event would be a Southern Sons concert with John Farnham band members like Phil Buckle, Venetta Fields, David Hirschfelder, Brett Garsed, Angus Burchall, and Jack Jones. It would be at a music festival, and I got a chance to be in the front row. I also got a chance to do the sound check with my mum, and she showed me what to do.
Then Jack Jones asked my mum, “Who’s this young lady?” Then my mum said, “It’s my daughter Ash, and she has a huge crush on you. She thinks you look so cute with your long hair, and she has her wall covered in Southern Sons pictures of you. She says that she loves you every single time.”

Then we got a chance to meet all the band members, including the band members of Southern Sons, and we ordered KFC and heaps of beers as well. I wasn’t allowed to drink because I was 16 years old at the time, but I had a lot of energy drinks and, of course, water and Coke.

The best thing is that I got a chance to get free memorabilia and merchandise. Out of nowhere, Glenn Wheatley was so excited to see my mum and me setting up the stage for the shows. I got a big hug from John, saying thank you to everyone who has supported me in the shows and helped keep us on top of things that we have done.

John mentioned to everyone at the show that it was my birthday, and I got a birthday kiss from Jack Jones on the cheek. He said, “Ash, will you marry me?” and I said yes. Everyone was so excited. Then my mum said she knew that he was going to pop the question, and my mum was in tears saying that my baby is growing up too fast.

John said, “Congratulations on the news. I’m so proud of you guys,” and he said that he would be planning our wedding. Then Jack paid for us to go to America in business class, and I was so happy to see his hometown and meet his family.
Then I got a phone call from my mum. She said, “How do you feel to be married?” Then I said, “It’s great. Thank you, Mum. Thank you for letting me be with Jack.”
 
Thank you for reading my blog,
Ash.
 
 
Hello, I’m Shan and this is my event planning blog.
This blog is about events that we would like to have and all the things that go into hosting them. I’m not super great at planning events, and I’m sure there would be a whole lot of anxiety and apprehension involved. Planning things can be a bit hard and scary sometimes, but as always, this is a safe space for new or scary things. But enough stalling. Let’s get into my event.

I think I’d like to host an anti-social social gathering: a place for introverted or socially anxious people to come, be included, and feel a sense of togetherness while still being comfortable in a safe and supportive environment.

It would be held at a book café. I’m not sure where I’d find this book café at this point, but in my vision I see a cosy, old-style café filled with books, comfortable chairs, and little tables. It would also have an enclosed outdoor area with lots of greenery and sunshine. I imagine the space smelling like fresh coffee and baked goods, with dimmed lighting in some spots for anyone who might need it. Hopefully it would feel very welcoming.

My mind is blanking on who I’d invite at the moment, but the dress code would simply be to wear whatever feels most comfortable and brings you the most joy (you can even wear PJs!). Just come however you want and be ready to get social in the most anti-social way.

I think it would be an all-day event where people could come and go whenever it suits them. There would be absolutely no pressure at this event because where’s the fun in that? You could order food through your phone if you feel more comfortable doing that, or you could go up to the café counter and order there. The food would be typical café meals along with a variety of beverages.

The address, menu, and layout of the venue would be sent to all guests beforehand, along with an interactive map. This would hopefully help with the unknowns and reduce anxiety about attending the event.

There would also be fun introduction cards for any servers who are working at the event. These would be available on request (and of course only with the servers’ consent, because that’s important). I think this could be a really cool event without the normal pressures and expectations of typical gatherings and parties.

Would you want to come to something like this? What kind of event would you have if you were planning one? If you’d like, you can share it in the comments. I look forward to reading your ideas, and I hope you all have a wonderful week, my friends.
Your friend,
Shan
 
 
Dear readers,
How are you today? Today’s topic is: If you could plan an event, who would you invite and what would it look like?

My event would be on a cruise ship, and my friends and I would have the whole cruise ship to ourselves!!!

The cruise ship would be Mamma Mia karaoke themed. I would invite my friends, my family, my support workers, and famous people such as the Mamma Mia cast, Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy, Emma Watson, Selena Gomez, Sabrina Carpenter, and Rapunzel (but no promises that she won’t hit anyone with the frying pan she carries hahaha).

My event would look like a Royal Caribbean Mamma Mia cruise. It would be decorated in blue and white and covered in pretty fairy lights, disco balls, microphones, dress-ups, food, drinks, stages, and more.

We would sing Mamma Mia songs, Disney songs, country songs, songs from The Lion King, and many others. There would be hot foods like hot dogs, fish and chips, pizza, pasta, and more. We would also have cocktails, mocktails, and soft drinks available.

There would be a Mamma Mia and Disney playlist playing throughout the cruise, plus screenings of Mamma Mia movies and Disney movies. We would even have a real life singer performing live as part of the fun.
Thank you for reading my blog.
This is Disney fan Beth signing off until the next adventure. 
 
Dear readers,
What event would you host and who would be there?
I would like to host my friends on a TV show. My friend Dave is from school and he would come on my show. On my show we would talk about cars. All cars are my favourite and I love trying to fix them.

I also love lawnmowers, so my show would include lawnmowers and all my friends as guests. I want to be an undercover spy, but I can’t be both a spy and a TV show host, so I’ll settle for a TV show.

On my show I will drive buggies and do tricks. I will also show people how to fix and work on lawnmowers.
​
Every show, one lucky viewer will win a free gift, which will be different each time. They could win things like lawnmowers, cars, or scooters.
This is Nick signing off. See you next week.

When one season changes into another, the world around us slowly transforms. The temperature shifts, nature looks different, and our daily routines can change too. Our bloggers are reflecting on our summer season coming to an end a new fresh autumn just around the corner. 


Today's topic is about how we feel about the new season.
There are four seasons in the year. Summer, Winter, Spring and Autumn. We've just entered autumn! My favourite season is spring, because it's not too hot and it's not too cold. The flowers start blooming and it's pretty. Baby animals are born in spring and they are so cute!! I like spring because Halloween is in spring, and I like to watch Halloween movies. Easter is also in autumn and that's one of my favourites.
I also like autumn, because the leaves on the trees are changing colour and it's so pretty.
I don't like winter because I don't enjoy cold days. I don't like it when it storms because it's a bit scary. There's something I do like about winter and that is enjoying a hot chocolate and being nice and warm in bed watching movies.
I like summer because I can go to the pool and the beach to stay cool that makes me happy.
Christmas is in summer and I love Christmas, it's another one of my favourites.
Your friend, Claire.


Autumn is the type of cold weather I like, some is raining but is better of summer.
The next season in June is winter but the winter makes me cold when I go to the Collingwood footy game.  Instead I can watch at home to stay warm. 
The next season is the spring but I really hate spring so much all ways making me hay fever.
The next is back for the summer is good to be the summer on December.
The four seasons are called summer, autumn, winter and spring.
My favourite spring is the summer because it gives me lots of fresh air.
My worst season is the spring because it's keeps me lots of hay fever.
Korey.


Dear readers, this week's topic is about the seasons, let me start by telling you about how I feel about Autumn.
I like autumn because it's not too hot or cold and  when the weather is a bit cold you can make and eat your favourite comfort foods like soups and stews and drink hot drinks like hot chocolate, tea, coffee and my personal favourite chai latte.  You can do some other things like wear warm, cozy and comfy clothes likes socks and pyjamas. You can wrap a warm blanket around you, read or watch movies, listen to music, stay at home and sleep, play games on your phone or online, colouring in a colouring book and shopping.   These are a few things you can do on a cold day or night.
Readers I'm writing from home because I feel a little bit under the weather and I hope to be back at blogging soon. 
Readers, I have a question: do you like autumn?
written by Charlotte.


In Australia we are now in autumn, which is a combination of winter and summer together, well to me it is. 
I like autumn the best out of all the seasons because it’s not too hot and not too cold, you can still spend time outside at night time and it will still be light. 
I prefer the colder seasons than hot seasons. 
There are many meanings to the word season for example tv season.
At the moment I’m watching The Pitt season two, but sadly an episode is release weekly, so annoying, but it is worth it. Hopefully there will be a season 3.


 Another meaning is a new season of sports, for example football which is a winter only sport but it is called a season, which lasts until September or October depending on the dates, I think.  Not a very big football fan as you can probably tell. But most people go crazy for football season. 


So I think a new season is a fresh way to start off and a new tv show season most people will get excited about it, and with sport seasons people will get pumped about their football teams and become the teams biggest cheerleaders. People do go crazy, they dress up and they paint their faces in the teams colours.  


I hope you’ve kind of learnt a new meaning to the word “season” so it’s not just about the weather seasons, and a little about me and my favourite season. 
Thank you for reading Haley. 


Today we are talking about the change of seasons from summer to autumn. I absolutely love autumn weather because I like watching the leaves changing colours and listening to the leaves crunching under your feet.  I absolutely love listening to the rain on the tin roof when it’s raining and watching the lighting show .  Autumn weather is amazing and looking at the difference leaves and looking at the different colours and shapes of the leaves. Walking around my neighbourhood and seeing different things like the smell of rain or when it begins to rain. I also like the smell of freshly mowed grass and what I like about the mow grass is the smell when it’s being freshly cut. Kicking the grass around because it’s fun and doing the same to the leaves as well. Autumn can have different effects like raining, sunny or even cloudy. Sometimes I wear a jumper if I’m cold but all the time I wear shorts and tops because I don’t feel the cold.  People think I’m crazy but I love it. I’ve got some people birthdays are in autumn, I wish I was born in autumn not summer.
Ash.


Today's blog topic is about new seasons.
This week is now autumn which is great because I prefer cold weather and now it's not summer anymore. Winter is my favourite and I like to keep myself warm with jackets and blankets. I do like autumn as well as the weather isn't as hot and I like the colours of the trees. I like to go for walks when the weather is not too hot or not too cold. My dog also likes to be taken for walks which is perfect in autumn. I Don't like the rain much because I have to stay indoors or I'll get wet, I like to use umbrellas but if there is a lot of rain I still get wet.
This is Ronalda signing off, see you next week.


We are talking about new seasons and what that means to you. New weather, different experiences, different clothes. 
Summer is my favourite season because I can go into my pool and swim. I have to be careful on hot days because the water can get very hot. When we got the pool they didn't do it properly and my big brother had to fix the pipes.
I love warm nights in summer having a beer outside. We are coming into autumn now so it is going to get cold soon. I have to rug up all cuddly and warm. I love having the heater on too.
This is Nick signing off see you next week.




Shan’s new season blog.
Welcome to the first blog written for March, meaning that this is the first blog we wrote in the month of March and that is exciting, well it is for me anyway. It’s important, I believe, to find things to get excited about and look forward too. A new month is exciting because it’s filled with fresh possibilities and opportunities. What’s extra special about March though, is it brings with it the start of a new season. Goodbye to the sunny days of summer and a big “hello” to the cooler and possibly wetter days of autumn. 


I’m sure everyone has different feelings about the end of summer and that’s ok, you go ahead and feel the feels. I’m always excited for autumn, I love the different colours that it brings to natures backdrop, all the reds, oranges, yellows and browns of the leaves from the trees. The sky even looks a bit different, maybe a bit cloudier or moodier you might say. It does feel like a gentle change though and I don’t mind this kind of change because it feels slow and calm to me. I think it’s nice to have some cooler days and give the land time to heal from the harshness of the summer sun. Maybe autumn will bring us all some time to rejuvenate and get lost in thought. Not that I need help getting lost in thought, I have a gold medal in overthinking and being off with the fairies. I should do a blog on fairies I reckon but back to today’s topic. 


While I will most definitely complain about the cold at some point, it’s unavoidable as winter is coming. I will enjoy the time that I will have curled up with my blankets and having all the hot cups of tea. This has got to be the best part of the cooler months, getting toasty warm and enjoying all the hot beverages and meals that are usually winter staples. I also think it will be wonderful to cuddle up with my dog and enjoy his company on cold days. ( though I enjoy his company EVERYDAY he is the best). With new seasons comes new creatures to see outside as well so I will enjoy rugging up in cosy warm clothes and finding new creatures to befriend and learn about. 


I think it’s important to embrace this new season while also acknowledging our feelings about it. If you feel like the new season is a lot and you’re not ready for the change then that’s ok, be kind to yourself and think about what brings you joy while also thinking about the things that don’t bring you joy. All feelings are valid my friends. You can also always look forward to your favourite season too. New month, new season and a new blog for you our lovely readers. 
Have a wonderful month of March and be kind to yourself and others. 
Your friend always, 
Shan.


We are blogging about the change of season, as March is the first month of autumn. The new season makes me feel happy, cool, and crisp as the weather starts to cool down. I love cooler weather more than hot or muggy weather. Hot weather makes me feel uncomfortable, but sometimes I can eat ice cream to beat the heat.


Even though autumn weather is starting to get cooler, we might still have a few muggy or hot days. I remember last year in March we had hot weather almost every day. It only cooled down around the middle of March. I checked the weather this year, and the temperature has started to get mild. Some people enjoy hot weather because they can wear summer clothes like dresses, shorts, and singlets.


The sky is starting to get darker in the morning because daylight saving will finish next month. Some people do not mind daylight saving ending, but others can feel sad, especially those who love sunshine and warm days. I remember Cindy was sad that daylight saving was almost over because she prefers more sunshine and hot days. I feel different about daylight saving. I feel neutral. I do not fuss when it ends or starts. I live in Australia, so I have to accept it. Some countries do not have daylight saving. Do you like daylight saving ending or starting?


March is also a great month because Umbrella Support and Jeff the Bear will be five years old, and we will celebrate soon. I cannot wait to wear my winter gear again, even though it is only the beginning of autumn.
Thanks for reading.
Jacinda signing off. Bye-bye.


Today's topic is how we feel about the new season. I don't like autumn because the leaves have to fall off the trees and dad has to clean it up on the pathway. 
It it's starting to get cooler
Ben 2.


Dear readers how are you? Today’s topic is about how you feel about the new season. Readers, I have a question for you: what do you like about the new season? I don't mind autumn, because the weather is cooling down but not too cold yet as winter is still a couple of months away. Daylight savings ends on the fifth of April, it's going to get darker earlier in the day. I don't like that. The leaves start changing colour and falling off the trees. Hibernation starts late Autumn so some animals are getting ready to sleep for a few weeks or up to eight months!!!! That's one long nap!!!


My favourite seasons are spring and autumn. I like that it starts to warm up in spring, daylight saving starts, things start to grow again and baby animals are born. Sometimes a bit cold and rainy, with some warmer days some cooler days.


I don't mind winter because of the cold rainy storms and snow. You can get warm and snug with warm showers and hot foods and hot drinks. Storms are very scary and animals hibernate. If I was an animal I would hibernate.
Thank you for reading my blog, let us know what you think in the comments below.  This is Beth signing off until our next blogging adventure. 

I love Disney. In case you didn't know this yet I have been to so many Disneys and Disney Cruises.
They are lots of fun and I smile the whole time. Beauty and the Beast castle is the greatest.
There are lots of rides and my favourite is the Beauty and the Beast castle ride and sitting in a big teacup you get to ride around the dining hall, and see the rose in the glass cabinet. The Beast comes to dance with Belle at the end in her yellow dress and it is true love.
Disney also has my favourite food such as the Mickey Mouse ear pancakes, lots of drinks too.
I won't ever stop talking about the Disney Cruises they are so much fun and I have lots of photos to remember my holidays.
I haven't been to Shanghai yet but when I can I will go to the Shanghai Disney. Paris too. I think my holiday to Paris will be incredible.
All the Disney parks have slight differences. Shanghai have some special characters and Euro Disney in Paris also have different ones. I’m sure the food will be different too.
I always buy a shirt or two when I go on my holidays. In fact I will wear my new Anastasia t-shirt from the new show on Monday for my friends to see.
I am looking forward to bowling this Saturday with my carer. It has been too long. And I miss it. So much fun.
Thank you, your friend, Claire.




Today is a free topic for my blog, so I decided to write about gifts. People receive gifts on special occasions. Some people like to wrap them in wrapping paper, while others prefer to put gifts in a box or a gift bag.
There are so many designs for wrapping paper and gift bags, such as Disney, Snoopy, Minions, fairy, Christmas, unicorns, and more. I asked mum where she bought wrapping paper when I was small. She told me she bought it at Citra Galleria, which is my favourite gift shop in Jakarta.
I received so many gifts when I was a little kid. When I was small, I did not have my own money yet, except for Lunar New Year red pocket money. I loved all the gifts that my family and friends gave me. I got cute loungewear pants, Powerpuff Girls cutlery and a mug, a sheep plush toy, a Disney Princess bag, a Beauty and the Beast toy from a friend, and going out clothes. I could go on and on sharing about my childhood gifts.
If I had to pick my favourite childhood gift, I would choose the cute loungewear pants. I liked them because they felt cozy when I wore them. I usually wore them while lounging at home, or as pyjama pants. They had different designs and colours, some of them in pastel shades like baby yellow and baby pink.
I also learned that when someone gives you a present, it is good to say thank you and appreciate it. It is the thought that counts, even if the gift is edible. I remember in primary school I got chocolate as a Kris Kringle gift. I still appreciated it even though I could not keep it forever, because I could eat it.
I also received lots of gifts when I graduated from school from some of my teachers. I got a Pooh photo album with pictures of me at school, Uno cards, body wash, colour pencils, a plush toy, and lollies. I opened them straight away. When you receive a gift, do you open it at home, or do you open it in front of the giver?
Thank you for reading.
Jacinda signing off.




Tuesday I went to ACMI in the city. It is a great place with cool stuff about animation and films.  It looks like a museum.
I saw the old filmmaker it was old and cool.
Someone has made the stop motion movie of clay and the was a movie called “Memoir of a Snail” and it was a good movie but very sad. Oh well it doesn't matter. There are people who have made the mouth, just like the talking mouth for Wallace and Grommit.
There is a lego stop motion too.  
There are old game consoles, such as the ps1, ps2, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo, Nintendo Entertainment System and ps4.   So many of it is for the gamers club.
I like how cool is the train travel side to side, it was petty amazing.
My favourite is about collecting the movies and shows and four collections. I got the Conjuring, Annabelle, Supernatural and the House of Wax. I can’t wait to see Scream 7, it is coming out today.
Korey.


Today's blog topic is a choose your own adventure.
Today I'm going to write about the things that make me happy!!
Today I'm feeling happy, because I got my nails done yesterday. My sister paints my nails, I love my sister she makes me happy.
My sister painted my nails purple, the colour purple makes me happy. My favourite colours are purple and pink because they make me happy.
My nails are sparkly purple, they make me smile when I look at them because they make me feel good.
I've started making coffee, with my friends at Lyrebird Community Centre. Learning to make coffee makes me happy. It makes me happy because I'm learning something new and I can do hard things because I'm brave.
I feel brave when I go on the escalators by myself and that makes me happy. I've been working on going on the escalators by myself. Before I go on the escalators I tell myself I am brave and this reminds me I can do it!


Going shopping with Sheridan also makes me happy. I love looking at everything and buying things. After we look around the shops and I practice going on the escalators, we eat our lunch together. I like having a sandwich for lunch — that makes me happy.
What makes you happy?
Written by Ronalda. 


I want to go back to America again because they’re beautiful people out there. Disney is always beautiful but big rides. So many good clothes and big food yummy. They have different money, oh lord. Anyway there is hot weather out there for beautiful days. I’m so happy today for Ruby came back after three days missing. Oh lord, my mama found her that’s good.  That’s why I didn’t sleep without Ruby. TJ.


My adventure started at 2.00am last Thursday when my friend Sabrina and I got dressed and headed to her Aunties house to pick her up to head to the airport to travel to Cairns.
When we got to Cairns airport, we got up to the gate and Sabrina had lost her boarding pass. The security guards moved us aside, and we waited until they brought a “Dummy” boarding pass for her. Finally we got through and went out to meet her Aunty who went before us, so she could have a smoke.


We got settled into the apartment, we needed food, Sabrina said let’s go on another adventure. We walked to the receptionist and asked her where the local shop is, she said five minutes down the road by bus, so we walked to the bus stop, got on a bus and ended up on the wrong bus and went the total opposite way for about 25 minutes, only us. We got our lunch and the food for the week.  We had to get a taxi back to the resort though.


We went to a Thai restaurant, and ordered an adult beverage.
The next morning Sabrina and I went to catch a train to Kuranda village. 
We had lunch at the Kuranda pub and on the way to the pub we saw a dog in a car in the drivers seat waiting for his owner to come out from the pub. We stood there talking to the dog for a good while. Then we went to the butterfly house. 
I had a butterfly land on my phone. Then we headed back down by a cable car and I swear we were up in the clouds. 
The next day, was a relaxing day so we just wandered around and visited a few different shops, we got the right bus home. 
We went out for dinner at a local Italian place, then headed back to the room.  We were all in bed by 9pm. 


The next day Sabrina and I went on a bus tour to see the Mossman gorge, the Daintree forest and Cape Tribulation. We had a cruise with the tour and saw a few crocodiles on the banks of the river. 
We got home after a long day, but we still all went out for dinner at another Italian restaurant.  


The next morning we had the morning to relax and do what ever, but after lunch we went on a tour bus to a crocodile zoo/farm.
I held a baby Crocodile named Goliath, then went on another boat cruise where the driver would stop and try and feed the crocodiles that lived in the swampy river. You should have seen all of the crocodiles jumping out of the water to get the piece of meat. 
We got home at dinner time and took Sabrina’s Aunt out to the Italian restaurant for our last night in Cairns. 


We woke up the next day, packed our stuff and were ready to go get breakfast until Sabrina read the email again, we thought it was 10.45am but it was 9.45am, breakfast plans went out the door. So we caught a taxi and headed to the airport, lucky she re-read her emails. We got on the plane things were running smoothly, until we got as far as Bendigo where we weren’t allowed to land due to the storms. We did a few circles then we landed finally in Melbourne. Again things were running smoothly, until we got to her car. The poor car battery had died. We waited for almost three hours for a car company to help us, but a security guard drove past and jump started her car, we packed the car up and we were on the move again until we got to the ticket bay. Because the car battery had died, we had passed our time limit so the ticket machine wouldn’t accept our ticket. I swear the airport didn’t want us to leave. She rang help and they opened the gate and we were off again. 
I got home at 8pm, chased my cat to show him love but he wasn’t having it, until we were in bed every few hours he would walk up to my head to see if I was there and he would start to purr, so I know he was happy again. Maggie on the other hand couldn’t care less, unless I gave her food. 
Anyways that my crazy adventure with my friend and her aunt. 
Haley.




Dear readers, how are you? Today's topic is a choose your own adventure and I have chosen to write about what friendship means to me and why.  Let me start by telling you what friendship means to me. Friendship to me is people who are kind, caring, sweet, bubbly, and supportive. I like being with supportive people and support workers because it makes me feel happy and supported. They make me feel like I belong and am able to ask for help if I need it. I like having someone to go talk to if something is wrong. It makes me feel happy being with safe people in safe places so I’m able to express myself and just having people who listen like Cindy, Krystle, Chanel and Sheridan. To be honest with you  Krystle, Cindy and Sheridan gives the best hugs but Chanel gives the best soft hugs as well.
I enjoy spending time with one of my best friends called Millie and cooking with her and my friends on Tuesdays. 
Readers what are your adventures? Let us know in the comments below. Thank you for reading my blog this is Beth signing off until next week!




Today it’s a choose your adventure blog, today I’ll be talking about my experience on the Ned Kelly tour. Krystle picked me up from my house then we went to Maccas for breakfast and then we met up with Charlotte and Martina at Narre Warren train station, and then we got off at State library station. We walked to the State Library to see Ned Kelly’s armour and then I got a chance to read Justice Raymond Barry’s account of the trial of Ned Kelly.   There is a wonderful wood carving of the hearing of Ned Kelly being sentenced to death by hanging. A fact I learned on the tour is the day before Ned got hung, his mum was working in the laundry across where Ned’s cell was.  They brought Ellen to Ned’s cell to say her final good bye to him . She said if you die you die like a Kelly and at 10:10am on the 11/11/1880 Ned was hung. 
We looked up where the old police headquarters was and there is a crest it says Russell Street.  We walked to the watch house and we had to line up ladies on one side and men on the other. We did some role playing and a few people got to play a character. One guy was charged with dealing dangerous things and then a kid got charged with drinking beer in a public place. Then I got picked as Edith and was arrested because as I was stalking the people in the watch house and when we where told not to touch the writing because it’s heritage listed. I asked the Sergeant about the picture of the young woman in the picture and she told me that Angela who was walking out of the watchouse to go the police canteen to buy some food and a minute later, forty years ago, the bomb went and she was thrown into the air and she was laying on her back then the police officers had to make sure they wasn’t another explosion. The people who did the bombing are still in jail but one of them has passed away and the other has been released but Craig Minogue is still in jail and is not allowed to be released.
Ash.


Charlotte too is writing about her adventure on the weekend below.
Dear Readers this week's topic is a choose your own adventure. 
Readers let me start by telling you that Ash and I did a Ned Kelly tour at the old Melbourne Gaol and we also did the watch house tour. The funny thing is that Ash got called stalker because she kept stalking people and Ash told us about the police headquarters at Russell Street and the bombing. 
It was so interesting to learn about the history of Old Melbourne Gaol and Ned Kelly.  Martina and I went into Ned Kelly's cell and Krystle took a photo of us in his cell and inside of Ned Kelly's cell  there was a plaque of were his body was buried  after he died.  On our tour of Ned Kelly the tour guide said that there was piece of the actual rope they used to hung him in a cell on the second floor, and there was another cell that had all the names of the prisoners that committed different  crime's and the dates and years on the wall. We went on another tour called the watchhouse tour and we were greeted by a sergeant of heritage listed watch house and we got to experience  what it was like in the old days. Before it ended we were allowed to take photos in the female exercise yard and I got my mugshot photo was taken by Martina.
Written by Charlotte.


Shan’s February choose your own adventure blog…
What’s really awesome about having access to many books and the internet is that I now know that there are roughly 200,000 different species of insects in Australia, this is information I found on the Taxonomy Australia website. I’ve never been on that website before because when it comes to searching for information I usually have my go to websites for reliable information. For example the National Geographic website, though as you may already know there are millions, even billions of websites that you can use and many books you can find on any topic that brings you joy. Though you may not find joy in knowing how many insects there are in our lovely country but each to their own right?


On the topic of insects I also find the Australian museum website very helpful. If you have ever been to a museum the information is set out very much the same as it would be at the museum. Very factual and to the point, this is something that brings me a ridiculous amount of joy because I don’t have to question if the information is correct, I do enjoy fact checking information but if I don’t have to its wonderful I can just enjoy my moment of learning. I’m also going to encourage everyone to go visit the museum at least once in your lifetime You can make it a day out and enjoy the journey of learning. 


If I can find a physical book on a topic I want to learn about I’ll either buy it or borrow it from the local library, for privacy reasons I’m not going to tell you where my local places are however you can google “my local library” and it will tell you where your local library is and joining the library is I think fairly simple but there are also people at the library that can help you join. According to Public Libraries Victoria there are over 300 public library locations in Victoria, some of those would be mobile libraries that are for more rural areas which is fabulous because it provides more access to libraries. I believe everyone should have access to libraries because it’s a magical place full of words and knowledge. 


Did you know that the Victorian State Library started with 3846 original volumes, which means first edition books and doesn’t that bit of information bring you so much joy? I know that for some the answer will be no and that’s absolutely ok my friends because it brings me joy to know that the state library of Victoria have been able to expand their collection in both physical books and online editions. If you want to know by how much you’ll need to go to the state library of Victoria website or Google it to find out. I hope I have sparked your curiosity enough that you actually do go and find out. 
Thank you to our beautiful readers for following along on our blogging journeys, we are so very grateful for you today and everyday!


Your friend always,
Shan.


Choose your own adventure.
One day, a girl named Sally went shopping for her birthday cake. But it turned into a pie. She also put some apple in the pie. She used her phone to look up a recipe because she didn’t know how to make the pie. 
Ben. 

Have you ever stopped mid-conversation and thought… wait, why is this a thing? From silent letters that do absolutely nothing to “quick” five-minute errands that somehow take two hours, life is full of little mysteries that we’ve just collectively agreed not to question. This blog is a safe space to lovingly unpack the everyday things that simply… don’t make sense.



I am happy but some things that don’t make sense to me is why escalators are a bit scary. It doesn’t make sense why they have stairs. Stairs can be very scary! It doesn’t make sense why escalators can’t be flat or why we can’t just teleport to the top of the escalator. Steps don’t make sense to me. They are scary and intimidating and I don’t like them! It doesn’t make sense how people can use steps without being anxious. 
People who are mean don’t make sense. I don’t understand why they can’t just be nice. I love dogs and I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t. They are cute, fluffy and adorable! Thank you for listening to my blog, lots of love Ronalda.


Today's blog topic is things that don’t make sense.
Something that just doesn't make sense to me is that there are only six Disneylands in the world. I love Disneyland, it's the most magical place in the world and I think they should be everywhere. In Australia I think every state should have one. If I had a Disneyland nearby I would visit every weekend and be their best customer.
Another thing that doesn't make sense to me is why I only have one birthday a year. I love my birthday and would be fun if I had one every month. I like to go on holiday for my birthday with my family and have lots of fun. My birthday is coming up in March and I hope I get to go to China. 
What really doesn't make sense to me is why they don't have more movie sessions. Sometimes I want to go see a movie at a certain time but I can't because there's only one session that day and it's not when I want it. I think the movie should be on every hour so everyone can find a time that works for them.
This is Claire signing off, see you next week.


Things that don’t make sense to me are new cars, and why have they changed the technology. Mechanics make sense to me but these new cars aren't very mechanical anymore they are all computerised and electric. 
Why on Earth do people use a small ute to tow a 6x6 trailer up the hill. Because in a small ute they are not powerful enough. The tyres will spin. This doesnt make sense to me because they can avoid this by calling a friend to use their ute or a different trailer. However, if they did try and tow a small 6x6 with a small ute then it would be funny because the ute would fall backwards because of the weight of the trailer. They might get squashed.

Another thing that doesnt make sense is 50 cent and JRule’s beef.  50 cent bought the front three rows of seats at his concert to play a prank on him. This doesn’t make sense because he spent alot of money on this even though it is hilarious. 
This is Nick signing off, see you next week.


At school I don't know what is maths because it doesn't make any sense to me. I was trying my animation in stop motion but the story doesn't make any more sense.
So I work hard to change it. Why are some horror movie so messed up, that doesn't make sense. Because I was watching Wolf Creek but in looks all right but is just messed up, because Mick Taylor he's the psychopath who likes killing everyone but I don't understand why people just can't be nice and not cut peoples bodies in half like in the movies. I don't understand why Chanel likes green apples and I like red apples. Red apples are better so it doesn't make sense why she likes green. I do lots of pretend for my stop motion program but I was so clever to the animation in 3D animation and stop motion.
Thank you by Korey.


Things that don’t make sense to me are people, especially people from my country. Sometimes they ask questions that make others feel awkward, such as, “When are you getting married?” or, “Why don’t you have a boyfriend?” Some even make comments like, “Oh my God, you gained weight.” I do not like comments like that because they make my heart hurt.
One time, I went to Indonesia in 2015, and my nan’s brother said to me, “You should be tall, drink milk and vitamins. You have to remember you are not a child anymore!” When he said that, I felt upset. I did not cry, but it did not stop me from enjoying my holidays. Luckily, when I went back to Indonesia last year, I did not meet him in person. I saw my other grandma’s siblings, and I said hello to them. They did not ask awkward questions. My aunts, uncles, and cousins were just very happy to see me in person again.
Even though I felt a bit anxious and excited before seeing my family because I thought they might ask awkward questions, they did not. I was worried for nothing. Have you ever felt like that before?
I also find it confusing why, when I was in primary school, my classmates were sometimes nasty to me even though I never hurt them. Some kids are just mean because I am quiet and an easy target. When kids are mean to me, they think I will never yell back. My dad said the reason I got picked on is because kids still do not understand empathy and kindness yet. Once they grow up, they understand empathy more. When I went to mainstream school, some kids did not understand that I am a special needs kid.
There was also another girl in high school who hung out with my friendship group but did not like me. One time we had a dress up day at school, and I suggested, “Let’s dress up as Mario characters.” She did not appreciate my idea, but everybody else was okay with it, so we still dressed up as Mario characters because the majority agreed. Even though that girl was rude to me, she sometimes says hi to me. I thought teenagers were more mature than little kids, but some teenagers can be nasty too. I do not understand why people are sometimes mean, but sometimes okay.
Math can also be confusing. I can do easy math like addition, subtraction, division, and times tables. I did Kumon when I was in kindergarten, but division with remainders was too hard, so I stopped. Later, in primary school, I got homework about division with remainders, and I think I did well.
Reading analogue clocks used to confuse me, but now I can read them, not just digital clocks. All my watches are analogue. I do not have a smart watch like my support workers and friends, but I do have a digital clock in my room. Do you wear a smart watch, or do you prefer a normal watch like me?
Thank you for reading! I hope you all love it as much as I love writing it.
Princess Jacinda signing off.



Things that don’t make sense to me and make me confused is my blood sugar. Some times it goes up and some times it is down and that doesn’t make sense to me. I do my insulin and sometimes it’s still up but then sometimes it’s down.

Sometimes my mind gets angry quickly but I control myself to be calm or listening to music.
From TJ.


Dear readers, how are you?
Today's topic is about things that don't make sense and I have chosen to write about people such as strangers, people that bully others and people who are mean. I also don't like people who don't do anything and dont give space when asked or if they move away. I dislike being forced to be hugged or someone getting in my space without asking. It doesn’t take much to be kind to people so I don't understand why everyone isn't nice all the time.
It goes the same for certain types of foods for me like brussels sprouts etc. I don't like eating animals and I don't know why we need to as there are so many yummy foods that aren't animals so why can't we just eat those instead.
To be honest, scary movies are not for me or going to scary places. I like happy things. I find getting injections at hospitals a bit scary. 
Why can't our birthday be everyday? 
People who don't know how to drive on the road drive me a bit crazy, surely if you have your license you know how to drive and the rules.
Let us know below what doesn't make sense to you and if you agree with what doesn't make sense to me in the comments below.
This is Beth signing off, see you next week.  


Today’s blog is about things we just don’t understand. 
I don’t understand why people are placed in a mental asylum for different situations, like if they had a disability or are mentally unstable.  I find it hard and confronting that people who had kids and couldn’t handle them well would be placed into mental asylums. That isn’t nice or fair. It is so unfair that people would be locked up in their room and the only thing they can do is read or eat their meals looking out a window. I have been to Aradale Asylum and we learnt about an Indigenous lady who was refused entry into the actual buildings but was a patient and forced to reside in her tent by the rotunda. Now her family members go back to the asylum regularly to do a smoking ceremony to pay their respects to her. I would like to go back there to do a six hours paranormal investigation tour and go back into the rooms and watch the screens if they is any voices or shadow figures walking around or trying to make a conversation with us. Thank you for reading this blog. Ash.


Shan’s things that don’t make sense blog…
For most of my life I’ve questioned many things that just don’t make sense to me. As an incredibly deep thinker I analyse everything and question everything because I am on a life quest to understand as much as I can and also I have anxiety so overthinking is basically a hobby at this point. I feel like because I struggled to learn at school I have developed a hunger for the knowledge I might have missed out on. Now let’s get into it!
Humans being the main thing I don’t understand and yes, I am aware I am also human but that doesn’t mean a thing to my beautifully neurodivergent brain. For many people understanding social cues, sarcasm, jokes and having conversations with strangers, is something that some people take for granted, meanwhile I have to work on this so that I can understand what’s going on and to make sure that I don’t misread the situation as something that it’s not. I don’t understand why I have to work so hard to be human. I don’t want to look silly or like I’m struggling to tread water. While I’m much better now and I’m proud of that, this is still something I struggle with.

I also don’t understand unkind people, I don’t understand why there is a need to be unkind or cruel to other beings. I see the things that people can say and do, it just feels unnecessarily unkind and in some cases evil/cruel. I don’t understand what they are thinking that makes what they say or do feel ok to them. Some of the horrific things people have done really shock me because I would have never thought anyone would want to say or do these things. I also wonder about their mind and their wellbeing.
I wonder if they are ok, if they just need some kindness and support? But it’s just not something I can wrap my head around and I have thought about it a lot. I guess I’ll never understand this one.
I think there are many things in life we won’t understand but we can always strive to educate ourselves and learn what we can to try and understand. At least this is what I’m trying to do.
Your friend, 
Shan.

Dear readers, this week's topic are things that makes no sense. Let me start by telling you about things that makes no sense to me and this firstly is the happy birthday song and why it is sang for so long. Why is a red onion called a red onion especially when you take off the outside layers of the onion it looks purple.  Why in the past did we have torture devices in places like jail and yet today we don’t have any torture devices in jail. Another is why do other countries call soft drinks soda or pop because that makes no sense to me.  What is wrongful with everyone just calling it soft drink.
In general the human body makes no sense to me neither but that’s a big for another day  
Readers I have a question, what things make no sense to you? 
written by Charlotte.


These things don't make sense to me. When people come to the door and why doesn't iPhone 11 have a home button.
Ben 2.

Valentine’s Day is usually about roses, romance and overpriced chocolate… but this year we're making it about love in a different way. The everyday kind. The small things. The big things. The things that make my heart feel full for no dramatic reason at all.
Consider this our official “Things I Love” list — no roses required.



These are the things I love. Some things I love are my two boyfriends - Micheal and Daniel but Daniel is my favourite. They are my true love. I love Disney my favourite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast and Tangled.  I also love Disney music my favourite is Lion King and Aladdin. I love my dog Bella. I love my mum and my dad too. I love my yellow Umbrella drink bottle. like Disney bags and Disney phones. I love my favourite colour,  yellow.  I love Pepsi Max a lot. I love chicken schnitzels. I love Krystle and Chanel and Steph  and I love Cindy. I miss Cindy too. 
Claire.


I’m not quite sure what love is or what feeling love gives out. I’m not a big fan of rom coms because they all fall in love, they argue, then usually end up at an airport saying sorry and then reconcile and get married in the last scene of the movie. I do like the movie Blue Valentine with Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. They fall in love at a young age then have kids, but things happen and they separate. Thats how I see love.  But is everyone different. 
I love Johnny Depp. When I was younger I had all of his movies and had many posters of him around my room. I use to have a plan to marry him. 
I would find his house, hit him over the head with a pan and look after him, and I would pretend to be his wife. 
I swear we were meant to be, we are both half blind and we both hate clowns.
Maybe I’m more of a comfort person rather then a love person, as things bring me comfort like
Horror movies, fried rice, cats especially Maine Coons, friends and family.  Being with animals and sound of a fire crackling, nature and the sound of waves at the beach .
So there you go my love is comfort,  and Johnny Depp.
But again everyone feels love in many different ways.
Your comfort queen Haley.


Today’s blog topic is about things I love 
Where do I start? There’s so many things that I love and make me happy! 
I love to draw and colour, I like using different colours and making it look pretty. I love going to Umbrella Support and all the new things I’m learning like making coffee and writing this blog. I really like all my friends that come to Umbrella and I miss them when they’re away. I love dogs especially my dog Zeus, I take him for walks, give him cuddles and play with him. Another thing I love is the water, I enjoy going to the pools and the beach and sometimes my support worker Sheridan takes me to the pool and we have a lot of fun swimming together. 
This is Ronalda signing off, see you next week.


What I love
I love ASIO, I'm obsessed actually and I am pretty smart.
I love the fact that you get to figure out who is the
biggest threat in all things National Security. I reckon I could do that.
I would probably need a car licence so I should focus on that but it's something I could work on. I like to research the Bondi attack and
allegedly ASIO knew about the Bondi Attack. I also love going to the pub and ordering food. I love schnitzel and cider. I also love the people at the pub. I love my job at the tip.
I love building things with my hands. I love motorcycles and ride-on lawn mowers. I love the navy seals in America and I love how they get the bad guys. I love coming to Umbrella on a Thursday because I get to see my friends.
This is Nick signing off, see you next week.


There are so many things that I love. I love my family very much, especially my parents. They raised me, taught me manners, taught me to be a good girl, and paid for my school fees and supplies when I was at school. My parents also gave me great advice, such as to be grateful everyday even when life is bitter. I love my brother too. He is working overseas at the moment. Do you have any siblings? If you do, are they older or younger than you? My brother and I do not really have small talk now, but on special occasions we wish each other well on WhatsApp. My brother is very thoughtful too. One time, he gave me a banana plush from Mario Kart for my birthday even though I do not like cake or singing.
I also love my extended family, especially my Grandma. I still have my Grandpa on my dad's side. My maternal Grandpa passed away two years ago, but I never met him. I love all my Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. I have one Aunty in Melbourne who is my dad's sister, but I have many relatives on my mum's side. Last year we reunited in Surabaya. It was fun seeing my cousins grow and sitting with them. I also enjoy seeing my cousins grow because they are not as demanding as when they were younger. My relatives are very thoughtful. On special occasions they like to send me messages with digital cards or stickers. I love receiving them.
I love my plush toys too, especially my Cheep Cheep plush. Most of the plush toys on my bed are from Mario games. I love plush toys because they are cute, huggable, and non-judgmental. Cheep Cheep is a fish character from Mario Bros.
I love cartoons, movies, and TV shows. Disney is my favourite, but I also like other cartoons like Sanrio, Snoopy, and Mario. I am excited for the new Mario Galaxy movie in April. I watch cartoons on Disney Plus, Netflix, and YouTube. I usually rewatch movies on Disney Plus and Netflix. For example, I have already watched Toy Story but I like watching it again. On YouTube, I like to watch old cartoons that used to be on ABC Kids. In the old days, I watched cartoons on TV or DVD. My grandparents’ house in Jakarta had paid TV channels with many kids channels, but I never had paid TV channels myself. Now I have Disney Plus and Netflix.
I also love cooler days because I am not a fan of heatwaves and I can sleep better. I use a fan when it is hot and humid. When it is cool, I can wear a cozy jumper and trousers.
I love blogging every Thursday because it is fun to write and express my opinions. I also love coming to the handmade program because all the people are kind and respect my dignity. I love my job at Woolworths. Even though the tasks are always the same every week, I am grateful to have a paid job because many people are still looking for work.
Thank you for reading my weekly blog.
Princess Jacinda signing off.


These are the things I like. I like my friends. I like pizza. I like music. I like the iPad.
I like texting. I like my phone I like Boost Juice. I like pies
Ben 2.


My love “things” are making my animation in 3D it is good fun. I love making the stop motion animation it is good fun for me.
I love making the film at my animation program but in was good fun.
I love Horror movies and my favourite movie is Child’s Play is was bit funny and silly.
I like making the coffee in Umbrella it was good fun for me.
I like heavy metal, my favourite band is Slipknot, Ice Nine Kills, Slaughter to Prevail, Lorna Shore, Metallica they was a great band and awesome scream mode my favourite singer is Alex Terrible, Will Ramos, Corey Taylor, Spencer Charnas they all scream mode.
I love Bill Skarsgard he's a great actor he does like all Horror movies like my favourite actor is Bill Skarsgard, Alexander Skarsgärd, Jensen Ackles, Gustaf Skarsgard and Norman Reedus they are all great actors. 
I love Collingwood they are a great team. My favourite Collingwood players are Nick Daicas, Josh Dricas, Scott Pendlebury, Darcy Moore, and Bobby Hill.
Korey.


Today I am writing about my love for everything haunted. Things like ghost stories from Mayday Hills to Aradale Mental Hospital and I would like to explore everything haunted and do ghost adventures and learning the history behind those places.  I want to go to morgues and the crematorium where they would cremate people. Tours usually go into the wards where they were placed with shackles if they had a mental health issue and they would also place them in separate sections of the institution. It didn’t matter if you were a female or a male they would take your kids away from patients because most babies were born out of wedlock. Sometimes mothers would pass out or pass away from childbirth because they would lose a lot of blood or they did not have the right medications. The instruments would not be cleaned properly and that’s probably why they got infections like blood poisoning or Staph infections. Sometimes they would amputate your body parts without any anaesthetic and sometimes they would use the same dressings for your wonders. No wonder a lot of people died from different types of injuries and illnesses. Some of the nurses were nice and some of them were nasty. The nuns would raise the kids in a special place in the Asylum away from other people. Sadly some of the kids would pass away from a day old or even ten years old, and there are lots of unmarked graves on the premises but sometimes their family don’t come to see them. It breaks my heart to hear the horrific stories of what has happened in the history of Victoria. Saying that I’m very lucky that I wasn’t born in the 1800s of the early 1900s. Thank you for reading my blog. Ash.


My eyes are in pain today and I need coffee coffee coffee, but anyway today I write about Valentine’s Day and things that I love.  It’s a good time by myself at home to do nothing but I love to play Fortnite by myself or with a friend. If you try to get a flower or chocolate for Valentines Day of course try to be nice and sweet to other people. I love to care about people from TJ.


Hi readers, how are you? Today's topic is about all things love and I have chosen to write about why I like it and spending time with my family and my mums partner. I like Umbrella Support, I love all the programs and making friends and having support from my friends.  I like cooking, having dinner with friends, trying something new, talking about employment, karaoke music, dancing, being with supportive people and support workers as well as Martina, Bernie, Chrissie, Sheridan, Chanel, Krystle, Steph, Cindy, Deb, and volunteer Deb and having a Umbrella Support bear named Jeff.  I love having supportive support workers to talk to if something is wrong or to go to, feeling safe with safe people and in a safe environment.  This week has been up and down with emotions being in a new place and more but Krystle and Chanel and Cindy have been so incredible and I know will continue to be. I try not to let it get to me but sometimes it just comes without any reasons. 
Thank you for reading my blog this is Beth signing off until our next blog adventure.


Shan’s what I love blog.. 
What do I love? 
I feel like this blog is a fantastic opportunity to talk about my absolute favourite Disney movie and first love The Lion King. If you are a long time reader you will already be aware that I’m very loyal to the lion king and everything to do with the Lion King. With the exception of the Lion Guard which is not my cup of tea at all. Some time a go in my early childhood my lovely Aunty Cynthia passed on her love of the Lion King to me when she brought me my first Lion King Video. I believe it was a Christmas present and I still have the video on my bookshelf with my Lion King  books. I wouldn’t say I have a Lion King shrine but my Lion king collection is all together and it’s something I love endlessly. It brings me so much joy to have all my Lion King collection safe together in one place.
I love that I can share my love of Lion King with others as well, It’s a great thing to share all our interests and find things in common also. I have a beautiful Lion King Loungefly backpack that is Simba and it does get a bit of attention. It’s a good conversation starter too. I really enjoy talking about the Lion King because it’s obviously one of my favourite topics of conversation. (Though I have to admit sometimes I find conversations a bit daunting). I smile when I hear a child talking about my backpack because it brings other people joy and makes them happy. It’s also nice to know that kids still like to watch a movie that has been around since 1994. I hope that the Lion King can be loved for generations to come, if not I have enough love for The Lion King for everyone.
I am super excited to share with everyone that I am going to see the Lion King Musical in Sydney. I have been waiting since I was about nine years old to be able to go see it and now I am finally going to see it. My Grandparents saw it in 2003 I believe and gave me the musicals program (which I still have in near perfect condition) and since then it has been a dream of mine to go and see the Lion King musical. I’m also very keen to get some Lion King merch and have this experience because as I have alluded to, it’s been a bucket list item for such a long time. It’s also my first time going to Sydney and that also very exciting. I have a countdown on my phone because I am that excited for this trip and seeing the Lion king musical. 
So in conclusion my first ever love was the lions from the Lion King and of course I am forever grateful to my Aunty and Disney for this. 
From your Lion King obsessed friend, Shan.


Dear readers, this week's topic is things I love. Let me start by telling you about things I love. I love cooking, horror and the Twilight movies, listening to Eminem songs, Halloween and I love my job at RSL.
My love of cooking started when I was young. I always wanted to be in the kitchen and help mum cook but she always said no, however she would allow me to cut and peel the vegetables. When I was in primary school at the start mum would always pack my lunch boxes until I got to the age where I could make and pack my own lunchboxes.  As I got older mum started trusting me to be in the kitchen a whole lot more and cook by myself and now I cook all by myself in our kitchen at home for my family dinner. My mum is the one who has inspired my love and passion for cooking.  My older sister and my dad introduced me to my love of horror movies and I love halloween it's one of my favourite holidays.
Readers, I have a question: what things do you love?
Written by Charlotte. 

We all have two versions of ourselves: the one others see and the one that emerges when no one’s around. Today’s blog explores that quiet gap and the version of us that exists solely when unseen. It delves into the differences we make for others compared to ourselves.


There’s no need for fixing or pretending; simply honest reflection on the small yet human ways we live when no one’s watching.


What I do differently when I’m being watched, vs not being watched by others. 
I love learning new things.
When I'm learning things for the first time I feel brave.
When I am dancing it doesn't matter if anyone is watching cause I have lots of fun no matter what. I practise dancing with my friends and I never feel shy.
I can make my own breakfast, and dad will help me with my tomato slices. But, I cook the toast all by myself.
I never feel nervous, I am brave.
When I learnt to use the washing machine and dryer I did well. I put all the clothes in and mum will press the buttons, but I can now  then take them out and put the dryer because learnt how.
When I have songs in my head sometimes they come out my mouth. But I don't mind because I can sing. I can sing with people and on my own. But I'm brave the whole time not nervous.
I am no different if I am around a lot of people or on my own.
Claire.


When I’m alone I’m a bit more comfortable to be myself, I dance a little more and sing louder too. I can be a little shy at times and it sometimes takes me a little bit to become comfortable with someone. Sometimes I’m a little scared to do things on my own but if someone’s with me I gain confidence to do scary things. My support worker Sheridan helps me go on escalators which I would never do on my own. I don’t like to go out places on my own so I always make sure I have a family member, a friend or support worker to help me. This is my first blog I’ve written which is new and different for me and not something I would have done on my own.
This is Ronalda signing off, see you next week.


Dear readers, how are you? 
Today's topic is what would I do differently if someone was watching and why? I have a few things I would do differently, or not at all if someone was watching. 
Dancing:-
I like to dance, but if someone was watching me I wouldn't dance at all this is because I am very shy.
Singing:- 
I also like to sing, karaoke is one of my favourite things but when I am in front of people I sing very quietly.  I feel proud that I keep singing even though I am so shy.  
Trying something new:-
I like trying new things but not in front of people. Again my shyness stops me from doing this. 
Cooking:-
I like cooking but eating what we cook is something I just can't do.  I don't eat in front of people, so other people get to enjoy my cooking.
This is Beth signing off. 


I like to sing when no one is around me because I don’t feel comfortable, I am tone deaf apparently according to some. I like to sing because it makes me feel happy and excited as well. The best part is i will sing in my car so no one can hear my singing but I enjoy it and I have my windows down so I can have my music playing so loud.   I enjoy seeing people faces when I play really good music or listening to the radio and the best thing that no one can judge me for is my singing. Thank you for reading my blog about music.
Ash.


Have you ever felt like you’ve been watched while doing things. When I’m watching while doing things I get a bit panicky and nervous.
I feel like I’ll mess up what I’m doing, but I usually don’t but that’s how I feel.
But one time I was cooking tacos for dinner one night on my own to help out, and I thought the silver packet in the tacos was for flavouring so I sprinkled it all over the tacos, my dad came home and said what’s the black stuff on the tacos, I said the flavouring from the silver packet.  
He said. That wasn’t flavouring that was stuff to keep the tacos moist and taco from going stale.  I could have been the first Erin Patterson.  Yep. 
I’m going to dig myself a grave here, but I secretly dance in my study, I put my headphones on and dance but whenever my family members would walk past I would stop. I know they know I dance cause they would probably hear the music. But I still freeze until they walk past.


When I used to work at a nursery for the job agency, had me do an occupational therapist functional assessment  which involved another worker who work there. I was so nervous because I had people watching me and I didn’t want to muck up my job. Luckily, I kept my job for a while after until they got shut down. 


In all honestly I think I act the same with people watching or not watching me.  I’m can be a ball of anxious bones. 
Haley.

Today’s blog topic is how do I act when I'm observed and how do I act in front of people.
One thing that comes to mind when I think of this topic is that when I work at the tip I wear gloves but at home I never do. I find gloves really annoying and when I'm working on things at home I prefer just to use my hands as I find it easier. when I'm with my friends I like to play pranks and muck around but I'm a bit more chill when I'm on my own. When I'm by myself I like to spend my time fixing things, working on my mowers, play video games and watching movies. Sometimes I will talk to myself when I'm alone but don't do that in front of others because they might think I'm crazy. I also don't need to because I love talking to other people if they are there. 
This is Nick signing off.


I'm not very good at going on Zoom to do a meeting as I go quiet around people sometimes.
I'm not very good at talking to new people. I've got a friend who likes texting more than talking and that's okay.
I like doing both.
I don't like to talk to too many people, I get shy. 
From Ben.


Hello my friend how are you all? I want to say what makes me feel different and what makes me uncomfortable or comfortable. What makes me uncomfortable? People saying bad things about me, but what make me comfortable is when people are nice to me.  If they are not nice to me I just walk away and don’t listen, or I put my music on with my headphone or Bluetooth.  I’ll tell you who is more crazy, it’s my dog Ruby she run around my on my bed. That’s ok if she loves to play with me on my bed.
TJ


Shan’s supervised verses not being supervised blog..
Keeping in mind that for this blog when I talk about being supervised I’m excluding situations when I am learning how to do something because that’s a different situation all together.
This topic is an interesting one because it’s something I think about often and if possible, I try to avoid being in this situation so that I don’t need to feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. It’s mostly part of having anxiety, wanting approval from others and having some self-doubt. I will, if I feel comfortable enough to, ask whoever is supervising me to come back when I’m finished so I can explain that I work better without the supervision. I think it’s best when we communicate our feelings and how we work best in these situations, but also in life.


I feel like whenever someone’s watching over my shoulder, even if it’s something I have done many times before and I’m somewhat of an expert at it I will get anxious and start overthinking the task. I start to feel like I can’t do the task even though I’m quite capable of doing it. Also, I start to feel over sensitive to my surroundings and feel a bit overwhelmed. I also don’t want to feel judged even though I’m fairly sure no one is actually judging me and if I’m honest they’re probably just interested or curious about what I’m doing. I feel a lot better though when they walk away from me or the task is done. It’s like the pressure of it all is released and I can relax, though, I’d also probably overthink it for a bit first. 


That’s my brain dump for this week, thank you so very much for joining us. 
With much love and kindness, 
your friend always, 
Shan. 


Dear readers, this week's topic is what do things I do differently when I’m not around people.
Let me start by telling you about what I do differently when I’m not when around people  I sing really quiet when I’m all by myself because I don't like singing in front of people and I talk to myself which helps me think. No I’m not crazy so I read one of my Twilight books and listen to the songs from the Twilight movies. I listen to pop  songs and meditation music and write in my journal all about how I feel and put together Lego sets that I buy. Sometimes I do my Lego by myself or I ask dad to help me build it and  sometimes he says very nicely “yes” and other times he tells me to “do it on your own”.  When it's a nice warm sunny day I like to paint and do art and craft, and colouring in my colouring book. Also I will watch movies and play games on my phone like cooking games, Township, and home interior design.
Readers I have a question what things do you do differently when you’re not around people?
Written by Charlotte.


This week’s blog topic is a bit tricky: What I do differently when I am being observed compared to when I am not being observed. What would you do when people are watching you, and when they are not?
Being observed means that people are watching me. When I know I’m being observed, I tend to concentrate more.
At work, my manager doesn’t observe me all the time because he has other jobs to do. However, customers at Woolworths might observe me when I’m doing facing. I always make sure the shelves look neat so customers can find items easily.
I also remember being observed at my former job at Australia Post Sprintpak. I worked there for four years doing philatelic work, which involved working with stamps. These days, I attend Umbrella Support instead. At Sprintpak, my manager would sometimes walk around the warehouse to check everyone’s work. When he was watching, I always tried my best to do a good job.
When I’m eating with family or friends, I also feel observed. I use my table manners, such as using cutlery properly. Mum sometimes reminds me to be ladylike, especially at family gatherings where there are lots of people. I sit properly and make sure I’m polite because many people are watching, and good table manners are important.
When I am not being observed, I feel much calmer and more relaxed. Some activities I enjoy when I’m not being observed include colouring in, journalling, and blogging from home. When I blog at home, I wear my home clothes. If I go to class or a public place, I wear casual clothes. I prefer blogging from home because it’s quiet and I don’t feel watched.
When I’m not being observed, I can also eat at my own pace. I can focus on my food and don’t have to worry about talking. I enjoy eating alone for this reason. However, I also like eating with my family and my Handmade program friends on Mondays. Spending time with others is a privilege, and not everyone gets the chance to do that.
Thank you for reading.
This is Jacinda signing off. See you next week, friends.

​Learning new things is like making a coffee in was good fun.
Monday I did my computer group where I learn about making my animation in the program “blender” it was good fun.
Tuesday I making the stop motion, I making the paper craft I made for the Minecraft Villager. I made the house and I made the grass so it looks like the mini animation. It was good fun for me.
Wednesday we making the film, my mate Billy is going to making horror movies in April on the weekend is going to be great.
I just finished my animation I uploaded on YouTube because everyone want to see my videos, everyone loves my videos in though in was funny.
Mv making the toast in the morning, my favourite toast is raisin bread is so taste good for me.

Korey.

January… A new year and our first blog where we can write about anything we like! Our bloggers are full of ideas and are ready to share them with you.
Today's blog is choose your own adventure.


Today I will be talking about my favourite thing, which is Disney. I love Disney music, Disney movies, Disney shows, Disney cruises and of course Disneyland. 
I love Beauty and the Beast and the beautiful castle the Beast lives in, the characters are cool including chip the teacup.
Another movie I really like is the Lion King, I prefer the new live-action version better, it is really cool. Simba is my favourite character and I love singing along to “I just can't wait to be king”.
Cinderella had a glass slipper and a blue dress and meets her Prince Charming which is true love, I love stories about true love.
 
I've been on a few Disney cruises in my time and they are amazing. I find it so fun meeting all the characters, eat at the buffet, go swimming and do fun activities on board. My favourite night is when I get to see the fireworks. Pirate night is really fun and I love getting into character.
 
I have been to Disneyland in Japan and California and it is magical. I love the rides and the atmosphere of being at the happiest place on earth. I love it there I always have a great time I plan to visit all the Disneylands in the world.
 
This is Claire signing off, see you next week!
 
 
Anime for me is great.
My favourite is My Hero Academia and the character Izumi Midoriya. His backstory is sad because his brother taunts him about his name and for having no super power. But his friend Bakugo gave him a new name, Deku.
I love the series, there are seven seasons.
I can recommend a great show for the younger kids, The Amazing World of Gumball. Gumball is a cat and his brother, a fish, is called Darwin. They have adventures together and they're funny. It makes me laugh.
Another interest of mine is gaming and my favourite game of all time is Marvel Rivals.
It's a free game and I love the characters. There is another James Bond coming out in March which I am looking forward too.
Thank you everyone, Thomas. My second blog today.
 
Last week is my 20th birthday and my mum was just made the “slaughter to prevail” cake it was amazing. “Slaughter to prevail” is one of my favourite bands. 
Me and my mum went to the movies to see “28 years later the bone temple” is the good movie I just I like that movie.
And I when to the party in was good fun and I got very big day for my birthday.
On 14th of February me and my mum are going to Polaris, another heavy metal band is going to be great.
Me and my mum are going to see the new “Scream 7” movie. It’s going to be a good movie and hopefully there will be an “Ice Nine Kills” song, but we’ll see.
And guess what? on Tuesday I am making the stop motion animation with my other group and I will keep making the Minecraft Villagers on paper. It is going to be awesome.
Korey
 
 
Dear readers, this weeks topic is a choose own your adventure. Let me start by telling you about my job at the RSL and how much I'm looking forward to going back to work and starting back at work for this year. It is really soon. I love my job and working with all the chefs and this year I can't wait to see what new things I will learn. I also love being in the kitchen and cooking. How do I feel when I'm in the kitchen and cooking? I feel happy when I cook in the kitchen at work and home because I put in a lot of time and love in the foods I cook. I always make sure that all the dishes I make are delicious and tasty.
Written by Charlotte.
 
Hello friends, I like to be a gamer and all the stuff, but there is too much updates on Fortnite. It makes my mind go crazy.  Anyway on the weekend it is beautiful out there but sometimes too hot.  I think nope I am going back inside to stay inside the house, no more sunburn on my skin. Well tomorrow is coffeemaker time at the cafe. 5am in the morning, oh lord, my brain wakes me up early in the morning. So I said it myself in the morning all the time to try to sleep more. I try. sometimes I go to the movies myself sometimes with a friend. I am so happy to see Daz today too. From TJ, your friend.
 
Today, for our choose our own adventure blog I am writing about my fictional adventure and experience on the Titanic. I got a chance to be on the Titanic because I was starting a new adventure from Ireland to England with my family and giving my kids the best experience of living in England because my husband got a job there.  I was a stay at home mum with four kids, two girls and two boys. My husband was a boiler engineer on the boats and he got a chance to work on the Titanic but he turned down the job. He would be working in the yard for long days and start work at 6:00am till 5:00pm. I would be making dinner for the whole family and I’ll be putting the kids in bed and my husband and I would be doing the dishes and we would go to bed early. Because he works long days he doesn’t work on the weekends, instead he needs to spend time with me and the kids. One day we got a letter that my husband would not be working on the Titanic, and that some people will lose their job so my husband was happy that he does not need to work on the titanic anymore but rather spending time together with his family. We got a big house so our kids have their own room and they have a playroom so they can do anything in there like drawing or painting. I was homeschooling my kids, my husband would be cooking all of our meals and was so proud of him. Then we found out one of my kids was so sick so my husband had to take them to the doctors.  They were so sick but they started getting better slowly and I was lucky that my husband was helping me out with everything. Thank you for reading my blog. 
Ash
 
Today is a choose your own adventure, and boy it’s hard.  I’ve chosen so many topics to write about.  I started on one about the inventor of Monopoly,  who wasn’t a man but a woman named Elizabeth “Lizzie”  Magi who sold the rights to Charles Darrow for $500, then he sold it to Parker brothers in 1935.
I wrote a few paragraphs on her and decided not to go on writing about her. So instead I decided to write about SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends. 
SpongeBob was actually going to be called Sponge Boy, where they live “Bikini Bottom” is a reference to Bikini Atoll, an American nuclear test site in the 1940s -1950s in the Pacific Ocean. 
SpongeBob’s work place the Krusty Krab is designed to look like a real life lobster trap. They also assume that the characters from SpongeBob resemble the seven deadly sins, as follows.  

Sloth - Patrick
Greed - Mr Krabs 
Envy - Plankton
Wrath - Squidward 
Pride - Sandy 
Lust - SpongeBob 
Gluttony- Gary (Meow) 
 
I’ve also chosen to write about Unsinkable Sam, AKA Oskar. He is a cat who served in the Second World War, and he survived the sinking of three ships. Firstly in 1941 he survived the battleship Bismarck, then the British  destroyer  HMS  Cossack an Aircraft carrier and then the HMS Ark Royal.  Sadly, he passed away in 1951 in Belfast Ireland 
Thank you for reading my  three-in-one choose my own adventure topic. 
Hopefully next week I can stick with one topic. 
Haley. 
 
 
Dear readers, how are you? Today's topic is a choose your own adventure and I have chosen to write about starting a new employment program. I do this two days a week which is Wednesdays and Fridays where we talk about what is a job, what is a good team worker, teamwork, is it paid work, unpaid or work experience and money handling skills.

We are very hands on and we play games which we get to chose. Connect 4 or a new bowling game called Finska.  We get to learn how to make coffees and use the coffee machine and how to froth milk with the milk frother and serve customers by Krystle. When we are ready to start we will open up the roller door or the hole in the wall hole, as Krystle calls it which is currently covered with a poster. When we remove it we will be really confident to greet our customers and sell drinks and coffees and sweet treats. To be honest it is very nerve racking and scary but I know that I have help and I am safe, and I am with Support Workers which is Krystle, Steph, Deb, Cindy, Chanel and Sheridan. Yesterday Chanel and I made a flyer. It said the business name and the words fun, coffee, kind natured and yummy. We drew rainbow and flowers on our flyer and said that we are open on Fridays from 9:30 till 11:30.
 Thanks you for reading my blog this is barista Beth signing off until next time.


Shan’s first choose your own adventure for 2026. 
We do love a choose your own adventure blog, it takes me a short minute to think of what to write about because my mind goes blank and I forget that I have a whole list of ideas on what to write about in the notes app on my phone. I think I put too much pressure on myself and overthink the whole experience. It’s truly not as easy to come up with topics for a choose your own adventure writing day as you think. 
 
The topic today was inspired by my fellow friend and blogger Haley, she mentioned SpongeBob and I thought about Gary the snail from SpongeBob. I love Gary the snail, Gary is my favourite character from Spongebob and even before I knew about Gary I loved snails in general. When I was younger I wanted snails as a pet, in fact, aside from horses they were my favourite animal. No you didn’t read that wrong snails are in fact animals. They’re also both male and female, which was really interesting to learn about in primary school as I had so many questions about snails. 
 
Snails have tiny teeth, (called radula) they’re very tiny and you probably won’t see them on your typical garden snail. Before I knew this I assumed that snails just made their food all soggy and then ate it. However due to my never ending quest for knowledge I know better now. Snails also have a foot, it’s the part of them that helps them move around. If you have ever seen a snail move on glass you would have seen their foot and the little ripple-like movements that the foot does to help them get around. You’ll also have seen slime, which is actually a mucus that comes from the foot. The mucus helps snails get around without getting hurt or stuck while also protecting their foot. 
I once took a garden snail to primary school because I loved it so much and I wanted to take him with me. Not sure the snail really wanted to come but in my defence I was very gentle and he was released once I got to school on the advice of a teacher. This is when I learnt that all creatures should be left in their habitats (homes) I now just admire my snail friends and let them be the boss of their own adventures. 
That’s all for now though. 
Your friend, 
Shan

Today, I decided to write a blog about my Grandma. She lives in Indonesia, but near the end of the year, she spends time with me in Australia. After the pandemic, she stayed in Australia for three months because she retired and doesn’t get to see me in person often. My Grandma is an active senior, and she prefers coming near the end of the year because she cannot stand the cold winter.

My Grandma has five children and nine grandchildren. Most of her grandkids have finished school, but three of her grandsons are still in high school.

She loves spending time in my backyard, cooking, shopping, and going on road trips. During long road trips, she usually likes to take a “nana nap” because she’s an early bird and rarely sleeps in.  She’s always up before 8 a.m.

Before COVID, when my Grandma visited, I had to deal with sharing my room. She slept in my bed, and Mum moved the spare bed into my room for me. I prefer having my own space, but spending time with my Grandma is a privilege. Do you like having a roommate, or are you like me, who loves having your own space?

In 2023, my brother left Australia for a job overseas, and my dad’s parents moved into aged care, so I had two spare rooms woo hoo! My Grandma could sleep in my brother’s room, and I didn’t have to share. Even though I’m not sure when my brother will return, there’s still my other grandparents’ room for my Grandma if she comes back.

My Grandma is very generous. After COVID, when she visited she bought me cute pyjamas and a Mickey Mouse ring. She doesn’t usually bring keepsake gifts, but I requested these, and she bought them for me. She also brings crackers from Indonesia some ready to eat, and some that need to be fried. She can be cheeky too sometimes she takes fish crackers from my plate without asking! That grinds my gears, but it’s okay because in the family it’s all part of caring for each other. She has cooked for me, changed my nappies when I was a baby (Mum told me), and bought me gifts.

She’s also very good at using WhatsApp. Sometimes she sends me videos, digital cards, or even funny stickers when she’s in Indonesia.

When my Grandma visits Australia, we’ve been to lots of cool places together, like: Pancake Parlour, San Churros, Piatella, Adelaide, Tasmania, San Remo Fish and Chips, Torquay, Phillip Island, and local shopping centres. She always goes grocery shopping with Mum, and they usually plan together what to cook.

I love Thursdays because I get to do blogging! Thanks for reading my blog about my Grandma.
This is Jacinda signing off. See you next week!
Todays blog topic is choose your own adventure. 

Today I'm going to about things that I have built or fixed. Recently at the tip where I work I found a PC. I took it home and it didn't work. I took it all apart and put in some new parts like the motherboard, power supply, RAM and a graphics card. After all that it started working and I was really proud of myself, it took me a couple of hours to get done and was very fiddly.
I plan to keep this PC for myself but in the future I may do the same for another PC and sell it on marketplace and make some money. I enjoyed taking the risk of buying something that didn't work and hoping I could fix it, which I did.

I also like to fix law mowers, I think I have fixed around ten. I get lawnmowers from the tip and I always get excited when I spot one there. I enjoy working with my hands and pulling things apart and the satisfaction of making something work that someone threw away, as they say one mans trash is another mans treasure. At home at the moment I have four lawn mowers which I'm working on. I have a ride on mower which I'm hoping I can fix soon because I think it would be fun to ride around Kilcunda which is where I go away to sometimes.

This is Nick signing off, see you next. week.

I like EB game and shopping and food stuff and lunch too.  that why I love play on my phone or Xbox all stuff anyway shopping for food good for me to get to lunch. 
TJ


Where do I like to go shopping? I like going to buy clothes, I like buying shoes and pants too. I also like to buy Apple® products
Ben 2.


My favourite place is JB Hi-Fi because I buy my CD. I got a new CD, it is the new album of “Slaughter to Prevail” called “Grizzly”. I got it for last year it was awesome. I also like going to the movies at Fountain Gate.
I like going to buy my game, it was good.
Korey.


My favourite shopping place would be the original Knox City because I knew where everything was before they did the renovation of the shopping centre, because they have too many shops and the shops that have closed or have been taken over by different people.  So many years ago my biological father was Santa and one year I was lining up to get a Santa picture then I yelled out “hi daddy” but he could not wave. I told the kids in front of me that’s not the real Santa that’s my daddy and then they left the line. My biological father was shocked when I told him what I did. My mum used to work at Knox City theres a shop called Games World. The best thing is that I used to get free cinnamon doughnuts from Con because he knew me since I was a little girl and to this day, I still get free cinnamon doughnuts.
Ash.


Dear readers, this week’s topic is what your favourite place to shop is, and mine is Fountain Gate.
Let us start by telling you about where I like to go shopping. I love going to Starbucks and buying a chai latte and at Christmas time buying more than one gingerbread latte. I like buying bubble tea and a juice from Boost juice,  buying Lego from the store online, doing my nails at the nail salon, Kmart, Target, Supře,  Ally fashion, Factorie, Jay Jays , Peter Alexander, Bath bath and Body Works, Sephora , Victoria Secret, Just Jeans, Dotti, Shein, the AFL store, Sportsgirl, Cotton-On and Strandbags.  I love getting my hair done at our hairdressers who is one of our family friends  and we’ve have known her for long time now. 
Written by Charlotte.


Dear readers, how are you today? 
What is your favourite place to shop?
I could go on and on and on about my favorite shops, which are Dusk, Kmart, Target, JB Hi Fi,  Coles, Boost, Perfume stores and jewellery stores. I also go to the nail salon at Fountain Gate.  Another store I like to look at is the Apple Store.  Other great shops are Smiggle, Strandbags, Lovisa and the Reject Shop.
I also like to shop online (my poor bank account !!). Some of the stores on the internet I like are Temu and Shein as well as Strandbags. 
Another shopping centre I like is Cranbourne Park.  They have a lovely restaurant called Kelly's nearby. 
The Salvo's is another place I like to shop.
Thank you for reading my blog. This is bubbly Beth signing off until next week.


I love going shopping at Big W, especially at the moment because they sell cute and cosy colouring books for grown ups. Do you love colouring too? Last week, I bought three colouring books. One was Sunday Reset by Sunny Vibes from the Reject Shop. At Big W, I picked up two more: one with a summer theme and another called Little Cuties. Last year, I even bought a cosy colouring book with a poop emoji theme! I like cute and cosy colouring books because they’re bold, easy, and not fiddly like the mandala patterns.
I also enjoy going to Miniso. It’s a shop that sells stationery, blind box toys, plush toys, and lunch gear. Before lockdowns, I bought a whale cushion to sit on because I don’t have a beanbag in my room (though there are beanbags in the rumpus room). I also remember Mum bought me novelty cutlery sets from Miniso as a Christmas gift, I think in 2018. I love collecting cute cutlery sets because they remind me of childhood.
Back in Jakarta, there’s a shop in Puri Indah Market called Citra Galleria. It’s a bit like Miniso they sell soft toys, lunch gear, school supplies, and even goodie bags. I loved going there when I lived in Jakarta. I remember Mum bought me a Hello Kitty lunchbox, though she gave it away before I moved to Australia. These days, I use a Pyrex lunchbox. I also remember buying Winnie the Pooh cutlery sets when I went to Jakarta for holidays in 2011 it was so cute! That shop also sells baby supplies.
Another shopping centre I remember is Mangga Dua in Jakarta. Mum and Nan liked to go there when Nan visited. Sometimes I went with them, other times I stayed at home. It’s very chaotic, but I sometimes enjoy it because they sell affordable cute loungewear, pyjamas, kitchen supplies, baby supplies, and school supplies. Mum bought me lots of matching outfits, pyjamas, and house dresses there. I remember the designs were Disney Princesses, Strawberry Shortcake, Hamtaro, and Hello Kitty. Do you love those cartoons too?
Thank you for reading about my favourite shopping places!
Princess Jacinda signing off. Bye friends!




Favourite place to go shopping…


I really enjoy going to Kmart because it’s got so many things, most of which are also really affordable. I feel like I’m about to anger the Kmart gods by saying this but Kmart is not my favourite place to go shopping, I did feel like it deserved a mention though and now that I’ve mentioned Kmart I should move on to the star of this blog. 


My favourite place to shop and look around would be a shop called Dangerfield. Dangerfield is an alternative fashion brand (according to google.com), I would describe it as a great place to shop. The team at Dangerfield have always been lovely to me and say hi to everyone who comes it from what I’ve seen. I love their variety of dresses, clothes and accessories. While I agree that it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s definitely mine and I really do enjoy showing off my purchases. I love telling others how beautiful and quirky they are. I have many of their dresses, socks earrings and pins they’re just so wonderful.


Majority of their dresses also have really awesome pockets, like really practical pockets that you can actually fit stuff in. It’s a real selling point for me. while not all the dresses have pockets I try to make sure the ones I buy have them. Their clothes are really different and many of them have animals on them I have a few of the animal dresses, I have a jumpsuit/ overalls as well as a dress from the sunflower collection. Flowers are also my favourite to have on their dresses. 
It always feels nice to shop at Dangerfield for me and I love how different it is. 
Thank you for joining today for some Literary goodness.
We love having you.
Your friend, 
Shan.


To me the shopping centres are sometimes too peopley for me especially at Christmas time. 
I don’t really have a favourite shop, I just go in and get out.
But I do love online shopping.
Sometimes I go on a shopping rampage and almost every other day there will be a package at my door, sometimes it a guessing game if the package is for me or my mum. 
Then we do a little show and tell on what we got. 
At the moment I have two packages coming, one from Shein, because  I got a few dresses for when I’m away, hopefully they fit me, got a few sticker packs,
And the other one is from Hismile which is a company that sells stuff for teeth, I love their flavouring of toothpaste, I got violet crumble, the Simpson purple squishee and a mouth wash that is strawberry  
And another mouthwash that’s meant to whiten your teeth. 
Now that you know where I shop, please don’t shop there I don’t want my favourite stuff to be out of stock.  
Haley. 


I like to shop with my Mum. We go to Big W and I always look at Disney tops, Disney books, Disney games and all things Disney. I also love to look at all different clothes.
Another great place to shop is Kmart. I love looking at Scented Candles and DVD's.
Target is another one of my favourite places to shop. They have very colourful artificial flowers there, which I like. I like looking at the perfumes in Target as well. I don't try them on, but I do like looking at them.
Fountain Gate is a great shopping centre as it has all my favourite shops. One day when I was there with Krystle, we both got stuck in the lift. I was very scared but Krystle made me feel very safe.
I often go to Fountain Gate with Krystle and we love to have lunch at Salsas. My favourite food at Salsas is loaded fries with pork. Krystle's favourite food is a soft shell taco with shredded pork, sour cream and guacamole.
I have a great time at the shops.
Claire.


Today’s blog topic is about my favorite place to go shopping. My favorite place to go shopping is the tip and lucky for me I work there. It’s a pretty big bargain shopping at the tip, when I find something I like it normally costs me around $5 if I want to keep it. I've found lots of cool things at he tip like a computer case, remote control car, headphones, old plane tickets, drill press and old speakers.
It’s super easy to go shopping as I just browse whilst I work. The tip is my favorite place as I get to pull stuff apart. I work at the tip on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
This is Nick signing off, see you next week.
​

We’re feeling a little agitated as we write these blogs today and wanted to share with you, our readers what grinds our gears. That means we are going to write about things that make us feel a little frustrated…
 
Scary movies are not my thing. Some scares and the blood and gore isn't nice for me.
If people want to see a scary movie I would suggest a comedy instead.
I also get annoyed by having to change the settings on my iPad. It's always annoying and grinds my gears. So now when I want to go on silent I have to go deep in the settings instead of flicking the switch.
Bullies at school grind my gears because it isn't fair. Swearing isn't nice and bullies would swear at school.
I will encourage people to do what they dream for, for me, that's a podcast or a YouTube channel. This makes me very happy. Thank you for reading my first blog, Thomas.
 
 
Today’s blog is about what grinds our gears.
There are a few things that grind my gears but the first that comes to mind is when my friends pull pranks on me. My friend often turns my scooter off while I'm riding it and he also pushes me over when I'm on the edge of a ditch. When I'm working on my mower and I can’t get it undone I find that super frustrating and sometimes I’ll even hit it, but that doesn't seem to help very much. When I'm at work or do some stuff at home and can’t find the right tools that I need. Well that really grinds my gears. Especially when I cant find the tools to work on the gears of the lawnmower. Overall I'm a pretty chill guy so this blog is short and sweet today.
This is Nick signing off, see you next week.
 
 
 
My brothers annoy me. I am the youngest in the family.
Michael and I were doing the dishes together after Christmas lunch and he was too slow. I told him to hurry up.
My other brother Robert was snoring when I got home from the tennis and it kept me awake. Most of the time I think they are pretty good.
To be honest, not much annoys me. I am a very happy person.
This is Claire signing off.
 
 
Here is my list of things that grind my gears.
When companies discontinued my favourite products. 
When things are on the top shelves.
People who don’t know the road rules and don’t use indicators.
People who are cruel to animals.
Criminals and people who make the world unsafe.
Puzzles missing a piece. 
How the world is not suited to people with disabilities, while people with disabilities have to adapt to the world.
People who use illegal substances.
People who commit crime and break the law and blame it on mental illness to get a lower charged or no jail time. 
I could go on and on, but I try not to let things get to me too much because that wrecks my own peace of mind. 
Thank you for reading, Haley. 
 
 
What grinds your gears blog…
I feel like I have a lot of things that grind my gears. Some are tied to being neurodiverse and others are just part of the human experience apparently. 
As a person with an invisible disability I sometimes feel the outside world expects me to be able to do life without any extra help or guidance. It’s as if my disability is invisible and doesn’t really exist so is therefore less deserving of any assistance. We shouldn’t have to fight tooth and nail for support whilst proving our disability is real. Invisible disabilities are invisible but that doesn’t mean that just because you can’t see them that I or anyone else with an invisible disability are any less deserving of guidance and/or help. It just means that we may need to ask for help or guidance when we need it and that should be ok and something that we shouldn’t have to justify. 
I also don’t like when people are mean or unkind. Its not at all needed or called for to be unkind and it doesn’t add value to anyone’s day. It really isn’t hard to be a kind and good human being. I really feel that if you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all. You don’t know what people are going through in life and words do have power, so being kind is important. If you don’t believe you can be kind then be silent, because this world has enough unkindness so if you feel so inclined switch it up and spread some kindness instead. 
Thank you so very much for reading the shortened version of what grinds my gears. I have a very long list of things but it’s important to leave room for my beautiful friends and fellow bloggers. 
Your friend always, 
Shan.
 
One thing that really annoys me is when people sing "Happy Birthday" to me on my birthday or surprise me with a cake. Even though it’s meant to be nice, it can be annoying. I used to be fine with it when I was little. One time in primary school, I even gave goodie bags to all my classmates. That’s partly why I don’t tell my Umbrella Support people my birthday. I also don’t like birthday shout outs when people post photos of me on social media and everyone comments, “Happy Birthday, Jacinda!” I prefer quiet celebrations. My family understands this and usually sends me digital cards. I like these because they’re private and noise free.
Another thing that annoys me is when people insist I do things I don’t like. For example, at a party, someone might say, “Dance, Jacinda! Don’t just sit there!” This makes me angry because dancing isn’t my favourite. At parties, I prefer to be a wallflower sitting quietly and enjoying the music. I also don’t like it when people say, “You’re too old to watch cartoons!” Cartoons make me happy they’re my therapy and something I’ve loved since I was a kid.
Hot summer days also annoy me. I prefer cooler days. But even on a hot day, I can enjoy ice cream as it lifts my mood. I also like to sleep with a fan. Flies and mosquitoes annoy me too, especially when doors are left open and they come inside. Their buzzing can be distracting. I do understand it’s good to go outside for vitamin D, though. Another thing that bothers me is doors banging, especially my kitchen door. If it’s not closed properly, the wind can make it slam loudly. It’s especially startling when I’m doing quiet activities like colouring.
Do any of these things annoy you too?
Thank you for reading!
Princess Jacinda signing off.
 
Hello dear, well when you all volunteer for work and you all don’t get paid but you all help people from work hard to be job of course so if you help people over job and listen to people anyway.  My legs pain me and annoying me and sometimes I can’t walk very much sometimes I can walk little longer.  Sometimes my legs stop working and don’t move very well.   
From your dear friend, TJ. 
 
This is what grinds my gears, it’s annoying that people are so rude in the shopping centre and telling me “could you move to a different place to talk” or something like that. People pushing in with their shopping or trying to get your car spot. Some people don’t have any respect for other people at all. They are some nice. It’s important to be nice.
Ash.
 
Dear readers,
How are you? Today's topic is what "annoys you" and why.
Let me start by telling you what annoys me is my brother and sister. They take things that don't belong to them, they eat my food without asking, they take things that are not theirs. They also play loud music when I am trying to sleep or when I am on the phone to my friends, and when I am listening to my music. 
They move me without asking me, which is very annoying.  They swear and I don't like swearing.  They don't even listen to me or my mum.  I am the eldest so they should listen to me.  They also fight which is not nice to listen to.  I don't like fighting... I prefer peace and quiet. Thank you for reading my blog this is bubbly Beth signing off until next week. 
 
 
What grinds my gears?
I don't like the iPhone. When they do updates and when I’m trying to get to sleep, and my computer when it's broken.
Ben 2.
 
Dear Readers, this week’s topic is what grinds my gears.
Let me start by telling you about what annoys me. Readers if you could list what annoys you I wouldn’t write only a paragraph and I wouldn’t be able to stop. I would write a big list.  In saying that let me get started on writing that big list. What annoys me is stupid drivers on the road that don’t know how to drive and if you ask me they should not have a license.  My older sister annoys me sometimes but I still love her. Silly people in shopping centres who do last minute shopping  at Christmas time, people at the bank who are working there and sometimes look like they don’t want to be bothered to work or don’t want to be there. When people come into my personal space and don’t even ask me if it’s ok to be in my personal space.  Also when people do bad things like crime and they blame mental health issues and they use mental health as a jail free card all the time. Centrelink also annoys me, especially when I have to do my report for work and I haven’t even worked or got paid yet and put zero hours and zero pay and I feel like the government and Centrelink wants to know everything.
Written by Charlotte 

Welcome back for 2026!
We are refreshed, we are reenergised and we are keen to give you, our readers, a further twelve months of amazing blogging.  But today we are sad, it’s a gloomy day outside, but we are so very grateful.
Our blog this week is solely a love letter, an extended appreciation and heartfelt piece for our lovely volunteer Delia. Delia, we hope you will love our blog on Saturday morning whilst you enjoy your cuppa in bed. You may need tissues. 




Delia is a nice girl, I will miss her. I hope she is happy with her grandchildren because she is beautiful. I love dancing with Delia at the park, where I can show my moves and dance to Michael Jackson and Shrek.
Delia always helped me with my handmade crafts on Mondays, which makes me feel so loved.
Always Delia was happy to be with us.
Thursdays are always fun and when Delia would come she would bring us donuts. Some days it was “no Delia no donuts" but that's ok too.
When I think of Delia I think of three things. I think of Delia always looking happy.
I think of Delia always making me feel happy, and that she is very smart.
Delia I will miss you a lot. 
Claire.


Dear readers, how are you? Today's topic is about Delia and how much she has helped us. Delia worked with us for two years and we will miss her very much now that she has retired.
She has taught me how to knit. She knitted me, my mum and my sister a scarf. She was kind, caring and supportive. I am so grateful to her.
I am turning twenty-one on Tuesday and having a party this Saturday. I am very excited and I am getting my hair coloured and curled this Friday.
I am sad that Delia won't be part of my birthday celebrations but I am happy she is going to spend more time to herself and with her grandkids.
Beth



Dear Delia, our number one fan,
Three years ago, Sofie was telling you all about us and Umbrella Support. I think she chose the right person, an angel in disguise.
Well technically you were both angels in disguise. It takes special people to volunteer their time. We were the lucky ones who got you and Sofie.

I remember pranking Sofie with a drawing of a leak in the toilet, she laughed her head off, I was a bit scared to do a prank on you, but I wish I would have. 

Let’s be real you were the organising boss, you knew where everything was. All we would have to do was ask and you would find it for us within seconds. When you were away, everyone would all be looking for it. 
So yeah you were the organising boss. 

On Thursday we all appreciate your offerings for donuts and other little treats you would bring. We all loved hearing your stories, especially about “free range” and all of your grandkids’ special moments and glory, it really made me feel like we were one big happy family, cheering on and supporting your grandkids along with you. We will miss hearing your stories. 

Even knitting the staff members scarves. You’re a lady of all talents. 

Umbrella Support staff and the participants will dearly miss you and your presence at all of our groups. 
Thank you for keeping your door ajar, to let more beautiful people to volunteer their time. We know you didn’t want a celebration for your send off, but this is our way to show our appreciation to you.  You can’t get out of it that easily Delia!

D - Delightful
E -  Extraordinarily 
L -  Lovely 
I -   Inspiring 
A -  Amazing.

Again thank you so much for taking time out of your life to come and volunteer and support us, we all appreciate you and will also miss you. 

It’s really not a goodbye it’s 
“See you later Alligator 
See you around like a rissole”
Haley.


Dear Delia you are very nice with me and you help me, I miss you from last year. Like that you bring donuts and you make me feel happy.
I would like to tell you about my Christmas break.  On Christmas Day my family and I went out for lunch with my Nana and Poppy, we had chicken, pork, veggies and potato salad, it tasted good.
Guess what, my family and I went away on the holidays, we went to Mt Beauty it was good fun and we went to the river for a swim it was great fun, we do it every year.
Next week I'm very excited for it to be my twentieth birthday, me and my mum are going to see “28 Years Later at the Bone Temple” and we are also having a party.
This is Korey.
Signing off and we will miss you so much thank you.
Korey.


When I started at Umbrella I met Delia for the first time. Delia helped me every Thursday to write my blog, and that makes me feel thankful for Delia.
When I think of three words about Delia, I think of happy, birthday organiser and that I will miss her.
From Ben C 


Our blog today is about our past volunteer, Delia, who retired last year. She didn’t tell anyone in person, but on the Friday before Christmas she sent me a message through Messenger. I was surprised when I read it. I felt neutral, which means I wasn’t super sad or super happy, I was just happy for Delia that she can now do whatever she wants in retirement. I also sent her a happy retirement digital card because it’s convenient. It had a picture of a teddy bear and said, “Best wishes on your retirement.”
Delia has always been very generous. During the Christmas party, she gave everybody a little gift. Inside were a pen, KitKat, and M&M’s. Do you like KitKat and M&M’s? I also remembered back to when Delia started helping us in January 2023. I wrote her a card saying, “Welcome to Umbrella Support,” and she replied with a thank you card to make me feel welcome. Delia even gave me Mickey Mouse serviettes because she knows I love Disney. It’s always nice to share mutual interests with someone. She’s truly a big kid at heart, and her age doesn’t stop her from enjoying things that make her happy.
Delia also loves spending time with her grandkids, who are all younger than us and still in school. I remember Delia bringing one of her granddaughters to the handmade program, and we got to know her. She also enjoys posting photos on Facebook of her grandchildren’s achievements.

Last year, Delia had a 70th birthday party at Umbrella Support. There were lots of finger foods, both savory and sweet, because seventy is a milestone, and Delia enjoys a little fuss  the party made her heart feel warm. I also remember a lady at Balla Balla who went upstairs to our art room to deliver flowers from all of us, then started singing the birthday song. Everyone joined in, and it was such a lovely moment.
Delia is also a party animal who loves dancing at the park. Even though I’m not a fan of dancing, she thoughtfully brought chalk and bubbles for anyone who didn’t like dancing. She’s also great at organising party snacks I remember she brought some for Jeff bear and the Umbrella Support birthday party last year.
She even gave me a Santa Claus squishy toy, saying I could have it. Thank you Delia, I love playing with it, and it now sits in my fidget toy box. Do you like squishy toys too?
I hope Delia finally gets a chance to visit Bali, as she’s never been there but has always wanted to go. Now that she’s retired, she can make that dream come true.
Thank you very much for reading my blog about Delia. I hope she enjoys it maybe even happy tears a little.
This is Jacinda signing off.


Dear Readers,
I will start off by saying happy new year and welcome to 2026 .
This week’s topic is about one of the loveliest people and volunteer of Umbrella Support and her name is Delia. Let me start by saying a thank you for everything you have done for us, especially for me and coming in every single Thursday and always helping me with my blog every week. I also thank you for making me my purple scarf and I really appreciate you for going out of your way and decorating the table for us and bringing us donuts and cookies. I want you to know that I will miss you and I hope that you enjoy your retirement and enjoy spending time with your family. 
Written by Charlotte.


Dear Delia, I would like to say thank you for our donuts on every Thursday and for making delicious food for special occasions, and heating up peoples food for lunch. Delia you are an inspirational person who has the biggest heart and your work goes beyond. 
For Christmas I went to Pakenham to see my grandparents and we had the whole family there inside the retirement hall. We had all different foods like cold meat, salami, chicken loaf and chicken and of course Christmas ham. Then we had different desserts like ice cream, mint slice and cheesecake. On Boxing Day I saw my biological father and then I saw my friend on the 28th of December for dinner then I went home on the 29th of December. Then on my birthday I donated blood for people who need my blood type. I then had a big night, it was a good night with my mum and dad. Delia we will miss you so much.
From Ash.


Dear Delia blog,
For those who aren’t aware Delia was our absolutely selfless Umbrella volunteer who became everyone’s bonus grandma, the love and kindness she gave everyone was far beyond what I have words for. At the end of last year she decided to retire from her Umbrella duties and from the working world. I really feel it’s important for her to know that we are all happy for her and that we wish her the best in her retirement. I know that she will be living her absolute best life like she deserves to.
Now to the letter part of this blog.

Dearest Delia,
I have and always will believe that you were our dear friend Sofie’s gift to us and what a beautiful gift to give us. I’m so incredibly grateful for you, I don’t think I have the words to explain how grateful I am for you and all you do not only for us but for all the Umbrella people and the outside world too. You gave us so much of your beautiful self, your wisdom, your time, your love, your kindness and so much more. You came in and accepted and loved us from the first moment even though you were probably super nervous and we were a bunch of strangers.
You’re definitely an important part of our lives and you will always have a place in the garden of my heart. I hope that you know how much we all love you. There is so much about you that I admire, you are truly a beautiful and magical person who has left us with so much to be grateful for. This blog is never going to do justice for how much you mean to us all, and myself. You have given me so many moments of joy and laughter, like the kind of happiness that you feel in your soul.
Again I’m so grateful for you always and love you endlessly.
Your friend today and forever,
Shan.



Dear my friend, I like to do Christmas all stuff and so much fun, nice time outside with family and friends too. Happy New Year, I didn’t see fireworks and I stay in my room. I was too tired, I was always wake up 3am in the morning oh lord, I couldn’t go back to sleep so my eyes hurt so bad.
So today’s blog is about Grandma I love her so much because she sometimes cheeky.  All I say is Grandma we all miss you too much, but sometimes funny oh dear.  She always call me grandson and we been troublemaker together. We will all miss you Grandma too much.
TJ