​As 2025 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the experiences, lessons, and achievements that shaped our year. We have all grown through challenges, celebrated progress, and learned from one another along the way. As one chapter ends a new chapter begins, A new year brings fresh energy and new possibilities. This year is about moving forward together, trying new things, achieving goal’s and making steady progress.
 
Today’s blog topic is reflecting on 2025 and my goals for 2026.
This year was amazing, I did so many cool things and had a great year. I attended my programs at Umbrella where I do crafts, blogging, media and social groups. I have grown a lot of confidence and I enjoy making a toast for my friends. I also learnt how to do a podcast which was so much fun, and Daz was a nice guy who helped me with it. I love going on holidays with my family and this year I went to America, Canada, Japan and on a Disney cruise. Holidays make me happy and I love spending time with my mum and dad and exploring new places. I went to Disneyland this year which is my favourite place in the world. Next year I will continue coming to Umbrella, seeing my friends and working hard and doing a good job. I will start a new employment program which I'm excited for to learn new things. I'm going to keep doing dancing on Wednesday's and learn new moves. I hope new Disney movies come out so I can watch them at the movies with Krystle and Steph. Next year I will be going on holidays, not sure where yet but they will be good. I hope I can go to China because I haven't been there before and Disneyland is there that I would like to visit. I also would love to go to Disneyland Paris, as I haven't been there yet.
This is Claire signing off, see you next year! 
 
2025 what a whirlwind of a year, I tried new things, travelled to new places, had breakdowns, gained great people, and lost people.
In January 2025, I wrote my main goals and 12 mini little goals for each month.
I started a mini goal of a photo a day also so I would end up with 365 photos to look back on.  But I stopped doing it. I might do it again next year, I also did a self portraits once a month to give myself a bit more confidence in photos, but sadly my mind ended that one once I saw a photo I didn’t like.
I did a 5k foam run which was great, I did with two of my friends, we earned  a medal no matter what  we placed.
I went on family trips and trips with friends, I went to Coffs Harbour, Hamilton Island and China. Next year I’ve already booked a trip with my friend to Cairns in February and looking forward to it.
 
I’ve also picked up the hobby “gold detecting”. Sounds boring, but when the detector beeps, it’s the thrill of digging something up.  Next year one of my main goals is whenever I find money, I’m going to save for a Maine Coon cat, who I have already named. Probably will take me ages but it’s something I’ll look forward to. 
I’m not sure if I accomplished any of my goals this year, but I gave them all a go, sometimes life throws hurdles and set you back, but as long as you try, that’s all that matters.
I had two car incidents, neither were my fault and I was without a car for a bit. But luckily no one was hurt and my dad was able to be my taxi driver. 
I’ve started writing my goals for 2026 and what I want to achieve. 
I want to try and write in a journal called a common place journal which is where you write positive quotes and movies that moved you. I’m going to try and research about topics I’m interested in and write it in the journal,  for example a theme per month, but a topic within that theme per week.
Also, I might do a horror movie themed monthly, for example January could be Australia horror for Australia Day, February could be couple murderers for Valentine’s Day. 
But I guess no one really knows what 2026 will bring, but, it’s always good to have goals to look forward to and try to aim to achieve them.
Well I hope everyone has a great Holiday, thank you for always reading our blogs each week,  
Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year
 From Haley. 
 
 
This year my reflection was seeing Nate Hill and Peter Reggie Bowman in our Hellow Media and asking them questions about the music they make and I asked them what made them play with paint and being part of Southern Sons and I really enjoyed seeing them and my highlight was getting a hug from them both.  I’m so grateful they could come in and give us their time and what I’m looking forward for next year is taking part in the the Reach Employment program. I’m looking forward to work in a cafe with my friends. I would like to say a big thank you to Cindy and all her amazing staff for all of their support and help through out the year. Ash
 
Dear readers, this week’s topic is a reflection on 2025. 
Let me start by telling you about my reflection back on this year, for me, on the second of April I joined and started a new program called Hellow Media and that experience has been so fun because I have met some amazing new people who I have became close friends with and have learnt new skills like using the camera, clapper, helping set up all the Hellow Media equipment and learning to step out of my comfort zone and how to interview people. The first person I got to interview was George from the Rosebud RSL and then a few months later head chef Michael from the RSL came. A few weeks after interviewing head chef Michael, we went down to the RSL for lunch as a treat for such an amazing interview and then George and head chef Michael  invited me as guest to tour the entire bistro and I was even allowed to go into the kitchen. After the tour ended, I was offered a job at the Rosebud RSL to work in the kitchen with all the chefs and when I got offered my job I said yes please!! I accepted my job and now I can appreciatively say that I love my job. 
Secondly, don’t get me started on how amazing the Hellow Media red carpet event was as it was so much fun and everyone looked so good in their outfits.  
Dinner with friends all year has been so fun and I really enjoyed doing cooking and making new recipes.
I can’t wait to see what 2026 brings for me and I can’t wait to hear from you my all readers, 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the Readers 
Written By Charlotte.
 
 
My memory of 2025 and my excitement for 2026.
I have been with Umbrella Support for almost five years and my life is good and rewarding.
I am writing my story today starting at January this year and all of my fun activities and memories. I attend groups with my beautiful friends and we have lots of stories to tell and hand craft to do. 
I have one day where I go bowling with my friends and sometimes I get a strike which makes me so happy. 
I am having a fantastic year with the most positive, beautiful people in my life, they will be my friends forever. I am so excited moving into 2026 and the adventures I will have.
I will see my friends again after this Christmas break and start with new activities and making more friends where we can share our lives together. 
It is now time to wish all of my family and friends the happiest Christmas and safe New Year. 
This is merry merry ho ho ho Beth signing off until next year.     
 
All good things come to an end... 
Though in the case of blogging, it's a short Christmas break and we will start up again in 2026. It's just the end of another year for us all and it's exciting to hear/read everyone's last blog for 2025.
 
This year has been a bit of a rollercoaster, which is funny because I have never actually been on a real rollercoaster and I'm not about to add that to any bucket list. Regardless, I have enjoyed 2025 for the most part and it's had many highlights. All very exciting and joyous though in this blog I would very much like to focus on my goals for 2026. Quick question for you, our lovely readers; do you have any goals for 2026? 
 
I have had going to The Lion King Musical on my bucket list for 22 years, It has been a dream of mine and I have waited very patiently for The Lion King Musical to come back to Australia. I'm so happy to share that in 2026 I will be flying to Sydney to finally tick it off my bucket list and make a dream of mine a reality. To say I am excited is a understatement, it's going to be amazing and I get to go with some really awesome people. I feel incredibly grateful for this opportunity, I can't explain the feelings I feel thinking about the fact after so many years I get to do this!
 
I'm sure I will have so much more to share over the next year, it's really exciting to have another year of blogging to look forward to. I hope that everyone has a safe and happy holiday whatever you choose to do and how you choose to celebrate the holidays. 
Thank you for your time and loyalty this year dear readers. 
Your friend always,
Shan.
 
January I’m going away for the holidays we are going to the mountain.
Monday I am making my animation, it is such good fun.
Tuesday I love making the stop motion animation and I do the speech session on a zoom meeting. 
Wednesday we making filming and it was good fun.
Thursday I will come back for Umbrella Support I like you guys and , I have a lot of good fun.
Fridays I have Umbrella Support again!
On the weekend we are making of the film for the movie.
Me and mum are going to the concert to see Polaris and Ice Nine Kills and I see my OT regularly. 
 This is Korey signing off and Merry Christmas everyone, Happy New Year. 
 
Reflecting on this year, I am still so excited that I work at the tip and all the things that I have found and collected. At the moment I have a pair of walkie-talkies that I plan to use with dad, especially if I run out of fuel when I'm out on my lawn mower.
I went to the Airshow in Avalon when the accident happened.
Terrible, but I look forward to going to it again. I wish they flew over head like they used too,oh well.
I am super proud of building my racing mower, as I collected pieces and parts from the tip. I have a good understanding of what goes where and how to do it. Also I am rebuilding a gaming computer.
I have great social outlets in my life and love going to Kilcunda. I have made great friends at work and Umbrella and look forward to seeing everyone after the Christmas break next year. I would like to organise an event with my friends where we go paint balling together. My good friend and I will be on one team and we will verse everyone else who are the bad guys, our mission is to take the bad guys down.
I would like to keep working at the tip and continue with my programs, I also want to continue with my project of building a computer.
This is Nick signing off, see you next time.
 
This year I joined Umbrella Support for Blogging and Media groups. They were kind to me when my mum passed away. They are a very friendly group and they gave me a party for my birthday.
I had a new job with Down Syndrome Australia and I met my friend named Alana. I designed an outfit for Cindy's dog Mavis It has the  Everyday People logo on it. My friends Brie and Michael did a market for DSA and I did another market this year with my friend which Brie found for me.
From Ben

​This year
This year I joined Umbrella Support for Blogging and Media groups. They were kind to me when my mum passed away. They are a very friendly group and they gave me a party for my birthday.
I had a new job with Down Syndrome Australia and I met my friend named Alana. I designed an outfit for Cindy's dog Mavis It has toe  Everyday People logo on it. My friends Brie and Michael did a market for DSA and I did another market this year with my friend which Brie found for me.
From Ben
 
Today is the last blogging day of 2025. The year went so quickly as it feels like just yesterday that I started the Just Write program. I remember feeling apprehensive at the beginning, but once I got started, I did really well. Now, I’m a blogging fanatic.
This year, I also found a new hobby. Mum suggested that I try journalling at home, so I went to the shop and bought a journal. Journalling is a great activity you can write about what you did, where you went, who you spent time with, and even what you ate for lunch or dinner. I recommend journalling to everyone in the Just Write program.
In April 2025, our support worker Jessy left Umbrella Support. I’m proud of myself because I recorded a goodbye video message for her. Talking on video can be easy for some people, but I feel awkward hearing my own voice. Even so, I did it and Cindy stood beside me, which helped me feel less anxious.
I also spent special time with Mum and Dad. We went to the city, Lorne, and the Pancake Parlour. It was amazing. That was in May.
I travelled to Indonesia this year, which I have to mention in my blog. I went to Bali for the first time, and it was amazing. Then I went to Surabaya to catch up with my cousins. We had a family dinner together. They are adults now and I remember seeing them when they were babies and kids. Now they are in university and working.
They hugged me, and I also saw my brother again. He hugged me too, as he is currently working in another country. We also travelled to Central Java and did a lot of outings. Even though it was very hot, I didn’t complain. After our outings, we spent time at the mall to beat the heat.
I am proud that I attended two parties this year, even though they were loud I still enjoyed them. One was my Grandmother’s 80th birthday party. Everyone was there, and there was karaoke, so anyone could sing or dance to the music. I was also happy to sit with all my cousins at the lunch party because I don’t get to hang out with them often. It was a happy celebration with all my family members.
The other party was the Christmas party with my support group. It was fun, and I really enjoyed opening gifts. I received cute items like a Pooh plush, Cinnamoroll stationery, fish ornaments, and Lego bricks. Thank you to whoever bought those gifts for me. We also played group games, and everyone supported each other.
Next year, I’m looking forward to doing Just Write again in January. This year, I only began in March. I’m also excited to return to the handmade programs. I will miss Umbrella Support, but I’ll be back in January. I’m not sure yet if I’ll be travelling next year as my parents haven’t mentioned anything yet. We will wait and see. 
Thank you for reading. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2026. I hope everyone has an enjoyable summer break.
This is Jacinda signing off. See you in 2026.

Can you remember when you were young? The excitement of Christmas? The presents? The family meals? The hot summer sun? Today we are blogging about the way we celebrated Christmas when we were little compared to the way we celebrate now…
 
Christmas when I was growing up and now is our blog this week. 
When I was little I would have all my family over for Christmas and we would have lots of food and great fun together.
My Pa would come with Grandma and Sarah my sister would be there with mum and dad. There would be many gifts under the tree I would be the first one to open the presents and then watch everyone else open up their gifts. This special day was the happiest day for me as I had all my family with me and would have the best lunch. Ham on the bone, chicken, pork and roast vegetables and for dessert we would have pavlova and plum pudding with custard and cream.
Our Christmas tree was covered in lots of decorations and ribbons with lots of lights on the tree and I would help mum to decorate and try not to tangle the lights. This is such a fun and happy time shared with all.
This year for Christmas I don't know what we will be doing but I am sure it will be as good as the last Christmas get together.
Signing off for now, have a fantastic Christmas with your families, Nick.
 
I was a little boy mum giving me a presents for Christmas and we get to the Santa photo too.  When I was a big boy I would go to the shopping centre to get stuff for Christmas.
I have been making the Christmas tree decorations and it was good fun.
This year we are going out for lunch with my nana and poppy for Christmas lunch. 
We will be giving each other presents, it will be fun.
This is Korey signing off and wishing Happy Christmas to everyone.
 
Today's blog is now and then Christmas.
When I was a little girl I loved Christmas time. I have the best memories full of happy moments, excitement and of course lots of presents. I always found it hard to fall asleep on Christmas Eve because I was just too excited and couldn't wait for Santa to come visit. Before bed I would leave out some milk and cookies for Santa and a carrot for the reindeers, sometimes even some candy canes. When I woke up I would run to mum and dad's room and wake them up so we could go look at the tree together. I would get presents from Santa, mum and dad, friends and family, my brothers would also get presents. I loved spending the day with my family and it was usually held at my house. My mum makes the best Christmas lunch with roast pork and roast veggies, she makes yummy crackle which is my favourite! We also have Christmas ham which is also yum, roast lamb and salads. Mum makes Christmas pudding and a few other desserts as well. Our family tradition is to watch Christmas movies together which is really nice. My Christmas as a child was amazing and I have good memories, but my Christmas now really hasn't changed much.
I love Christmas it's my favourite holiday. I'm looking forward to Christmas this year and my presents, I will get heaps. I like to be a Christmas angel and superstar.
This is Claire signing off, see you next week.
 
 
Dear readers, this week’s topic is Christmas then and now. Let me start by telling about Christmas then and now for me. It is now so different from when I was younger. When I was younger it felt very magical to me because I remember waking up and going to wake up my parents and my sister and being really happy and excited about opening Christmas presents. The night before writing our Christmas letters to Santa and telling him what we wanted for Christmas was really fun and exciting too. Now Christmas I am older and it feels like an emotional roller coaster and stressful. Now I need to remember and think what  to buy for my family as Christmas presents. Now, going to the shop is a different story and don’t even get me started on how busy, crazy and crowded the shopping centres are. That’s why I do my shopping one month earlier every year now. 
Written by Charlotte 
 
When I was a child growing up in Jakarta, Christmas felt magical. My parents took my brother and me to a “Snowing Christmas with Snoopy” meet and greet at the mall. I still remember the photo from that day, and the fake snow falling outside the mall. They were selling lots of Snoopy merchandise, and my mum bought me a Snoopy colouring book, a pencil case, and a mechanical pencil. The mechanical pencil was actually a Christmas present, so it wasn’t really a surprise  but I still loved it so much.
At my school in Jakarta, we had a belated Christmas celebration after New Year. I enjoyed watching people sing, dance, and act in the Christmas drama. Only students who liked performing joined in, so it was fun to watch. For lunch we got fast food like KFC, Popeyes, and A&W. We also received goodie bags filled with snacks and a little gift, like a lunch bag or something we could keep.
When I moved to Melbourne, Christmas at school felt different. Every class from Prep to Grade six had to perform at the Carols Night. I didn’t like being the centre of attention, but I’m still proud of myself for participating with everyone. Classes were called in random order, and even the teachers performed. After the performances, all the families had a picnic. My parents, brother, and I sat together with my relatives, eating snacks and drinking soft drinks.
Back then, my family also visited my relatives’ house for Christmas. We exchanged presents, and I remember my cousin loved writing letters to Santa. One time she showed me she got The Wiggles SingStar game. While waiting for dinner, my brother and cousin played PlayStation, and I just watched them.
Nowadays, Christmas feels different. I usually attend the Umbrella Support Christmas party. Their parties are always successful. Last year, some of my friends sang Christmas carols as they enjoyed being the centre of attention. We also got presents from Santa, and there were games and crafts. I honestly prefer the Umbrella Support party over work Christmas lunches, because it feels more lively and fun, not just sitting and chatting.
Christmas with my family is quiet now that we’re older. It’s usually just my parents, my grandma, and me at home.
I like sending my relatives in Australia electronic Christmas cards because it’s easy and I don’t need to buy cards or stamps. My relatives in Indonesia also send me Christmas greetings and stickers, even though most of them don’t celebrate Christmas. They’re very thoughtful. I do have one aunty on my mum’s side who celebrates Christmas, but she is usually busy during the season.
What is your favourite thing about Christmas? Tell me in the comments please!
Thank you very much  it’s Jacinda signing off.
 
When I was little I liked Santa but then I pull Santa beard and I realised they’re fake Santa. I was like “oh you’re fake and middle of age” I remember Santa's helper was fake.  Oh come on. Anyway, it’s Christmas still so I have to get in Christmas picture oh lord.
TJ
 
Dear readers, how are you today?  Today's topic is what Christmas was like when I was growing up and I have chosen to write about when I was little. At Christmas time my Aunty and Uncle and my cousins, Nan and Grandad would come to my house and the house was all decorated. The table was set up with decorations and so was the tree and presents under the tree. We opened some of our presents and then it was time for dinner. For dinner we had roast chicken, roast pumpkin, mash potatoes, veggies and yorkshire pudding and gravy. For dessert it was sticky date pudding with ice cream and warm custard. This year I have no idea what Christmas will be like but I am still looking forward to presents under the tree and spending the day with my family. 
Christmas time as an adult is so different from when I was a child but I still love Christmas and I can't wait for it to arrive, because my birthday is the month after it. 
Readers what will your Christmas be like? Will it be stress free and on budget? I asked Google for some ideas to keep Christmas stress free, plan ahead and get organised, set a realistic budget, delegate tasks, set boundaries and say no if you need to. 
Bethany
 
When I was a little boy we didn’t really celebrate Christmas but my mum would cook a special meal and sometimes we had friends come for lunch.
Now I am an adult we go to my sisters house and she cooks us a special meal. My support worker takes me shopping to buy Christmas gifts for my family and friends. This year is a bit sad as my mum won’t be here but I will be celebrating with my dad, sister and her family and my friends. 
How are you celebrating Christmas?
From Ben

We’re in charge of Christmas!
 
Imagine this! You and you alone are in charge of the entire Christmas Day celebrations. What would you eat, wear, wrap, and what would you arrange for all of your guests?
 
Christmas is fast approaching! 
 
As usual December has come at us with the speed of Usain Bolt going for another record. 
I'm never quite ready for the chaos that is December, with the Christmas shopping and everyone being in a mad rush for everything. 
 
I suppose it's the Christmas spirit and festivities that gets the fire going in everyone which is understandable because now I'm planning Christmas Day, so I get to join the chaos. I'm going to do a Christmas lunch and everyone will bring a plate of their favourite food to share. 
 
The Christmas decorations will be sparkly and rainbow because you can never have enough sparkle or rainbows, I'll even put up and decorate a rainbow Christmas tree. Plus, every guest gets to take their favourite decorations home with them because I like sharing and gifting. There will be beverages of all kinds in sparkly cups that the guests can also take home. 
 
Honestly it will just be a super magical time that will start at 11am and finish at 1pm because after a magical Christmas lunch I may need a nap. 
Did I mention the guests are the people who read our blogs? Yeah, that's right you! How exciting! 
 
Honestly, I'm not at all great at planning things but I'd put so much love into this lunch that as I said I'll need a nap after. Ha ha. Have a super wonderful day my friends! 
 
Your friend and Christmas lunch host, Shan. 
 
 
It’s December! Have you all done your Christmas shopping yet?
My Christmas season will be quiet and cozy. The people at our family Christmas dinner will be my parents, my grandma who lives overseas, and me. Back in primary school, I used to visit my relatives’ house, but that was a long time ago. Now that I’m an adult, Christmas is just with my parents and grandma. I still text my relatives to wish them a Merry Christmas, though.
The dinner will be at our house. Actually, my grandma doesn’t celebrate Christmas only New Year and Lunar New Year because in Indonesia only Catholic and Christian people celebrate Christmas. But she still wished us a Merry Christmas and gave me a hug and a kiss. We include her in our Christmas dinner and usually give her something small.
We will eat roast chicken, potatoes, broccoli, and carrots. There will be rice too, even though it’s not really part of Christmas food. Dad will do the cooking, and grandma suggested we should include vegetables rather than just meat.
While Dad is busy preparing dinner, I will do some colouring in my room. Mum will choose a Christmas playlist, and we usually just listen to whatever she picks. Grandma will sit in the dining room and text her family and friends on WhatsApp.
Then Dad will call everyone when dinner is ready. I will help carry the food to the living room and maybe help set up the table. Once the food is on the table, I will put all the empty plates out I’ll use my Minnie Mouse dinner plate. I’ll sit next to Grandma, and Dad will sit with Mum.
I need to be patient, especially during Christmas, while waiting for a group photo and before we pray. We don’t usually pray at casual dinners, but this time Dad says a prayer in his own words and then says the Our Father in Indonesian. After that, we can enjoy our dinner.
After dinner, there will be a group video call from my relatives wishing us a Merry Christmas. Only one of my aunts celebrates, and the rest are Buddhist. I also exchange text messages with my cousins. 
This year, I hope to get a twelve pack of pastel Faber Castell pencils in a tin. I feel anticipation about unboxing my Kris Kringle gift, and I’m also happy that Christmas at home is quiet and not too overstimulating.
Thank you for reading. Sending love to everyone who lost loved ones this year. This is Jacinda, your friend anticipating Christmas, signing off.
 
 
I got my Christmas list for Christmas Day.
I want to get a slaughter to Prevail t-shirt, I prevail violent nature on on cd, Falling in Reverse Popular Monster on cd, Silent Hill hd collection on ps3, the Quarry on PS4, Chucky season 3 on dvd, Parkway Drive Darker Still on cd, Slipknot Sid Wilson funko pop and the Walking Dead - Destinies on Nintendo Switch.
Tell me about what you are going to organise for Xmas for your family?
I’m going out for the lunch with my Nana and Poppy and we will be having pork, lamb, potato broccolini and chicken.
Korey
 
Today’s blog topic is if I was in charge of Christmas what would I do. 
This year I'm planning Christmas and we're going on a Disney cruise leaving from the Bahamas. The cruise will go for seven nights and stop at Castaway Bay the special Disney island! My mum, dad, brothers and some cousins will come along with me. On Christmas Day I will open my presents in my cabin with all my family, and they will open theirs too. Christmas lunch will be in the buffet so there are lots of options, I will fill my plate up with roast pork, roast lamb, roast ham, seafood, salad, arancini, spring rolls and whatever else I see that looks yummy. For desserts I need to have Christmas pudding! I'll also have some pavlova, cheesecake, fruit, chocolate mousse and donuts. At night time the Disney cruise will host a big party. We will have dinner first in a nice restaurant, then we will go do some dancing. A band will be playing all my favourite Christmas songs, I will sing with them and dance too.  There will be fireworks on the deck that go for so long and will be amazing. After the party ends I will go back to my cabin and watch a Christmas movie.
This is Claire signing off, see you next week.
 
What would I do for Christmas? I would give people presents. And I would give presents to some of my friends, and l would have pizza to eat with all my friends and pies and chips. Then I'm going to have lemonade drink.
Ben2
 
If I was in charge of Christmas,  
I’ve always wanted to have a white Christmas, but in Australia it’s summer.
Unless I travel to the United States of America or the United Kingdom. 
So I would magically spray the whole of Australia in snow, so everyone can experience a white winter wonderland.  
On Christmas Eve I would help out at a soup kitchen, because I think Christmas time is about giving instead of receiving and everyone deserves to feel special around Christmas. Especially kids. 
Then on Christmas morning, I would spend my time giving gifts to kids at a park so they can all enjoy the presents with each other. 
I would get Santa to pop in as well.
 
For Christmas lunch I would have Christmas at my parents house, with a bucket of KFC chicken, roast pork in the Webber and just your normal Australian salads and sides. 
After lunch, we all sit down in the lounge room with the cats and we all pick a Christmas movie to watch, I picked a horror Christmas movie, mum picked a comedy Christmas movie and dad picked an Australian Christmas movie. All so different but just spending the day with the family is really all you need. 
Before we go looking for Christmas lights, we go visit everyone in the family who has passed away, we would place a bunch of flowers next to their graves. And one at the beach where we scattered one of my nannas ashes.  
Again I think Christmas is about being selfless and giving, and just spending time with all of the people you care about. 
Christmas night, we would go and look at Christmas lights, then we would go and sit somewhere where we can watch the beach waves and make a wish that everyone else who is waking up on Christmas Day have a great day with family and no sadness at all.
Well that is my Christmas if I was in charge of Christmas.
Just remember Christmas is about giving and kindness. 
Merry Christmas from Haley.
 
Today’s topic is about Christmas and in my family, December is one of the worst months ever. It’s because I’ve got a cousin’s birthday on the 22nd and the 25th and the 28th and of course me on New Year’s Eve but saying that, Christmas means everything to me. We see the family we have a good laugh, have good food and interacting with the family members that we don’t normally see.  Where would I have it in the world? It would still be Australia because I love summer as it’s hot. I have some beers. Maybe we have some prawns on the barbie and I really enjoy the summer time when it’s Christmas. It’s because you can swim by the pool. go to the beach whatever but it’s amazing. The food would be cold meat like ham, salami, chicken, and turkey and for dessert trifle, pavlova, ice cream mousse, fruit salad.  We do secret Santa or Kris Kringle on Christmas morning is the best time because I like to see all my siblings open their Christmas presents and see what they got.  That just brings so much happiness and enjoying my life
Ash.
 
Well I like do Christmas stuff, a good present is nice and summer is cool.  Food is good, pork and chicken and beef with gravy. It’s so yummy with sweet potato and Christmas cup cakes.  We go on family Christmas and friends Christmas, all my family need to get Christmas clothes too good fun, beer and all stuff party. 
Christmas is a beautiful day for summer from your good friend TJ. 
 
 
Dear readers, this week’s topic is if you were in charge of Christmas. 
Let me start by telling you about if I was in charge of Christmas. I would not be in charge of Christmas and I would let my mum organise it all.  Instead, I would go on a holiday to Europe for five weeks and I would start by going to Paris followed by Italy, Rome, Greece, Germany and Hungary.  I would spend every week exploring and doing fun stuff like shopping, going to Disneyland in Paris  going to the top of the Eiffel Tower, Venice, the Colosseum, Mount Olympus, Athens, Munich and Budapest and at each place I would find a restaurant or cafe to eat and drink European food. After five weeks I would fly back home and I would be sitting in first class on the way back home, and when I arrive at my family‘s house, I would give everyone a present that I bought back for them.
Readers I have a question what would you do if you were in charge of Christmas? 
Written by Charlotte 

It’s our choose your own adventure week and we love it! It’s like a free ride at our favourite theme park on a sunny day! That means we are smiling and very much enjoying our own time of freedom….
 
 
 I am so lucky today I get to talk about my holiday in Japan.
For two weeks I went to Japan with my family this month. We had to fly early in the morning but left home very early for the airport. Mum, Dad, my niece and I were in the car together.
I love to fly because I have heaps of food and lots of drinks which is great. I always love to fly.
Sometimes I'm scared but sometimes I'm not.
We stayed in a lovely big hotel and I stayed with mum and dad, and breakfast downstairs everyday.
The weather was warm so I made sure to wear a Disney top each day.
The food was so good. My favourite was the sushi train because I choose what I want to eat. I used chopsticks and also gifted chopsticks to my friends at blogging.
I went to Tokyo Disney and the fireworks were amazing. The tea cups and the Beauty and the Beast ride is the best, it is the story of Beauty and the Beast as a ride in a tea cup. I love it. I got lots of photos and when I look at them they make me smile and happy. I rode the big thunder mountain at night time. Mum saw Minnie Mouse and I saw Mickey, Cinderella, and Tiana from Princess and the Frog.
I went on the bullet train from Tokyo to a lovely place, it was beautiful and very very fast. I fell asleep.
I am also very lucky that I went on the last Disney cruise from Australia, ever. I hope they come back but if not I am sure to travel somewhere to get on another Disney cruise.
I don't have my next holiday booked, but, I will soon and will be sure to let you know.
Thank you, Claire.
 
 
We woke up at dawn, time to hit the road to Western Australia. 
Dad packed all of his gold detector and stuff, we buckled in and were off.
I fell asleep and suddenly we were there. We set up camp and off we went to find gold. We walked for ages and we found a little creek, and started to pan for gold in there. We were panning for about forty five minutes,  I shook my pan and searched for a speck of gold in my panning plate. I had quite a bit of specks of gold in there. I got my squeezey bottle to suck up the speck of gold.
We had lunch then we took off further into the bush. 
We both took out our gold detectors and started to search for anything in the ground, dad’s detector went beep beep beep, which means there’s something in the ground. I dropped my detector and started to dig where dad was swinging his detector.  Every clump of dirt that I put to the side, dad would go over it with the detector, nothing, so he swung it over the hole, again it went beep beep beep. I dug deeper. The last clump of dirt I dug out my dad swung his detector over it again. And it went beep beep beep.  I broke the clump of dirt down. And finally we found a small nuggets of gold.  Which was great. A small piece of gold ranges from $1000 to $5000. 
It was getting late, we headed back to camp and cooked dinner, faced time my mum and told her we found specks of gold and a small sized nugget. I slept with the nugget under my pillow. The next morning we drove home and unpacked the car. We took the gold nugget into a gold shop to our surprise the price in gold went up to $8,000 -$10,000 dollars. 
We both smiled cashed the nugget in and we got $8,999 just for a small gold nugget. 
We halved the money, 
I brought a Maine coon which was a Smokey colour. And my dad took my mum on a holiday to Singapore for a few days.
Talk about how a little bit of work, has paid off. 
Haley 
 
Last week I finally finished off my animation, other people will be able to watch it, and there is a presentation to see my animation.
It’s hopefully good and the animation people will love it.  How great they might think it was made by Pixar or Dreamworks or whatever.
I was so clever to be using blender in 3D animation, it is better at stop motion animation. 
I made my new intro for my animation but this is the best 3D animation I have ever done. 
The other people give subscribe and click below and they give the 42 subscribers and they got the views of my videos.
Village News is the amazing videos on YouTube I look on IMDb it got a 9.4/10. I got the cartoon voices the Villager and the witch and I am so good at this.
This is Korey signing off.
And have a great awesome animation videos, good day for you.
 
Today’s topic is your own choice
Today I am going to tell you about the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. On the eleventh of March 2011 the plant was hit by an earthquake and followed by a tsunami. The tsunami caused major radiation leaks making it impossible to restart the reactors. The plant was first opened in 1971 with six boiling water reactors and had no recorded trouble until 2011. The building was designed to withstand an earthquake but not a tsunami. The plant was shut down permanently in April 2012.  
Some fun facts; 160,000 people were displaced as a result of the disaster. Areas classified as difficult to return zone still remain today due to high radiation levels. The plant was closed not due to human error, but to natural disaster.
Nick signing off. 
 
Well I got new game called Assassins Creed, it is really nice but not bad, really so easy for me. I like seeing you all today, I have a happy life today because you are all cool people. I even have Radiovoice next Monday, yay, and this weekend I will be going out for fun. I was happy to see Cindy on Tuesday afternoon.  Ruby is such a cute dog she will always come to my room and sleep together. But I must take Ruby to go outside before sleep to pee, so she doesn’t pee on the floor. Oh lord. 
TJ
 
Hi readers, how are you? Today's topic is a choose your own adventure and I have chosen to write about my adventure on a very big cruise ship. I am going with my Mum and her partner, his son and my brother, and my sister. 
The ship will be leaving on the 21st of March next year for seven days and leaving from Brisbane. On this cruise there will be so much to do. On this holiday I can go to all the activities like spotlight karaoke, girl rock climbing, adrenaline peak and salsa dancing classes for young guests, and the best will be going to the circus school, and hopefully I can get involved with the show.
I will be sharing a cabin with my sister and hopefully we have a porthole so we can see outside. My mum and her partner will be next door to me.
When we get settled and unpacked we will try to research the surroundings of the ship, especially the Royal Theater where we will see lots of movies and shows. 
I have heard that the food is incredible and there are lots to choose from. I am so excited in the coming months and once Xmas is over the holiday will be here before I know it.
This is Cruisey Beth signing off until next week.
 
 
Today I’ll be talking about my experience at the many concerts I have recently attended. Firstly I saw Southern Sons again and I was in the front row. Two weeks later I saw AC/DC at the MCG. And I really enjoyed myself because there is a story behind the AC/DC concert. My biological father and I were meant to see them live in 2010 but he had a stroke and I was so sad that I didn’t get a chance but they came out again in 2015 but we missed getting tickets.  When they released tickets for another Australian tour for 2025 we got so excited. I was online and I trying to get tickets for the Wednesday night show but I got kicked out. I got a phone call from my brother saying he got tickets for the Sunday night show and I was so excited for my brother helping me out. My highlight was seeing AC/DC. 
Not even a week later I got a chance to see Jimmy Barnes at Mount Duneed Estate in Geelong, and it was the anniversary of the passing of Micheal Hutchence from INXS. It was such a hot day that I brought myself a top and stubby holder for my beers and I bought 2x beers that cost me $22 dollars and my carer brought a hamper it has sandwiches,Tim tams, dips and dry biscuits and a glass of wine but knowing me, I was drinking beer. We got a chance to see Kate Cebrano, Ian moss and Icehouse and the last act was Jimmy Barnes. We got a change to meet Kate and I had a picture with her and she also signed my poster. I was so grateful that I got a chance to see more Australian acts but it was about to rain when Jimmy Barnes was playing, his wife played the bagpipes. We left when there were three songs left from finishing the show because it was spitting with rain and I was in so much pain with my foot. On that Sunday morning we drove back to Melbourne Carrum Downs. I can’t wait to see more concerts next year.
Ash.
 
 
Let me start by telling you about my made-up story. Once there was a girl called Paris, and she was no ordinary girl. She was royalty, but she didn't know until her 18th birthday. And on her 18th birthday she flew home from Greece, and when she arrived out the front of the palace she was greeted by her parents who gave her a big warm hug. Her parents, who were king and queen, told her about her royalty as they walked through the big golden palace doors, that she was a princess, and she wasn't allowed to marry for love. But she had fallen in love with a handsome prince from Greece, and had married him no matter what. She still became Queen. Written by Charlotte.

Christmas is coming! My support worker picked me up to go to Umbrella Support program I wore my Mickey t-shirt. My support worker even brought me a present. “Do you like receiving gifts in a bag or wrapped?”
Inside the bag there were a Minnie keyring, Hello Kitty stickers, a green slinky, and a box of Favourites chocolates.
“Wow, what a lovely present. Thank you so much for thinking of me. I said.
When My support worker dropped Abbey andI  at Balla Balla, it was almost 9 AM. Cindy came in and said, “Come to the party room, wonderful people!”
There was no name on the seat next to me just a sign that said “Reserved.”
“Cindy, who is sitting next to me?” I asked.
“It’s a surprise. You’ll see. Why don’t you eat some snacks? There are cookies, Smith’s, Doritos, and Shapes.”
Once everyone was seated, Cindy said, “Today is our annual Christmas gathering. We also have a surprise visitor, and that person will be sitting next to Jacinda. I know you’re feeling anticipation, Jacinda.”
Then she said, “The surprise visitor is here. I’m going outside to greet him. You all stay here and have a chat with your friends.”
Sheridan turned to me.
“Jacinda, what are you doing for Christmas?”
“I’m going to open my presents on Christmas Day. I asked my parents for pastel colour pencils. What about you?”
“I’ll have Christmas lunch at home with my parents and Shan. I might take my dog for a walk,” she said.
Soon the visitor walked in…
It was Michael Bublé.
“Michael? Is that really you?” I asked.
“Yes, young lady, it’s me. What’s your name?”
“I’m Jacinda. I love your Christmas songs so much. One of my favourites is Cold December Night.”
“Oh, cool,” he said with a smile.
Everybody took turns introducing themselves.
“I’m glad I get to know you all,” Michael said. “Now it’s my turn. I’m Michael, and I have four kids.”
Suddenly Santa walked in.
“Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!”
He called out names in random order to give out presents. I still felt anticipation because I hadn’t received mine yet.
Then Santa finally called my name.
I opened my present straight away. I got a pastel pink journal book, a Snoopy pen, bear stickers, and an Oreo.
Michael opened his gift too he got socks and a beanie.
Cindy handed out gifts to all her participants. She usually gives a gratitude journal and a craft.
Martina gave her clients a biscuit.
We had some free time, and Michael decided to chat with me. He asked me lots of questions and told me that his daughter likes pastel colours too.
For lunch, we had pizza! The flavours were meat lovers, Aussie, margherita, and barbecue chicken.
After lunch, we watched Michael perform his Christmas songs. Then it was time to pack up. Delia took the leftover snacks home.
“Michael, thank you so much for coming,” I said.
“You’re welcome, Jacinda,” he replied.
We went for a walk, and Claire even got to dance with Michael.
My support worker picked Abbey and me up. She got a chance to greet Michael and had a little chat.
“How was your day with Michael?” She asked.
“It was loud. I’ll tell you more in the car,” I said.
Thank you for reading.
It's Princess Jacinda, signing off.