Luna Park is fun for the whole family and the perfect venue to have hosted Lifestart’s Play for Kids event celebration for 125 special guests on Friday 4 November 2011. Guests were ushered into My Clubhouse where children from Lifestart connected to play games in support of Lifestart’s Play for Kids project which encourages people to play a game with family, friends or workmates while raising funds for Lifestart.

At the conclusion of a very moving Welcome to Country by Graeme Mundine, the formalities continued with speeches by the Hon Barry O’Farrell, Premier of NSW and Deputy Opposition Leader, Linda Burney, who both demonstrated a high level of knowledge about Lifestart and an understanding of what Lifestart does in very entertaining speeches. During his speech, the Premier announced the partnership between the Department of Education and Communities, ADHC and Lifestart to establish a purpose built early childhood intervention centre for Lifestart Eastern Sydney. The Premier also spoke about support from business and the community.

In her speech, Linda Burney, former Minister of Community Services referred to Lifestart’s new mission and values in a positive recount supporting Lifestart’s mission to provide individualised support to give children the best possible start in life.

Other special guest speakers included Maha El Dimachki from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, as principal sponsor of Play for Kids and representing Lifestart’s Board of Directors. Maha gave an illuminating speech about Lifestart, the value of play and how it fits into the life of a little boy with autism and his family. Pam Macleod, Head of Intervention Services at Lifestart then spoke on the value of play in the lives of children with a disability or delay and added a different dimension to help pull the concept of play together.

Mothers and children involved in the production of the Three Stories of Hope DVD at Lifestart Hornsby which was screened, presented each of the speakers with a painting and story from the children. The event was well supported by families and it was great to have all the children there. Many staff also came along in addition to a number of Lifestart’s corporate sponsors and government officers.

The day was beautiful and the setting delightful. After indulging in a lovely morning tea, all the children were given free unlimited ride passes to enjoy themselves on the rides at Luna Park which was a big hit amongst all the families. This event tops off a series of events Lifestart has held across Sydney to celebrate the value of play in the lives of children and families living with disability. Play for Kids has been an outstanding community awareness project for Lifestart on the importance of play based therapy in the development of the children we support.