On Sunday 25 November, over 100 very special families joined us at our Malvern grounds for a joyful and fun end-of-year family day celebration. The entertainment was endless with interactive stalls, fun activities and special guests to keep the kids captivated. There was also an opportunity for parents and carers to visit our pop-up toy store and purchase discounted gifts for the holiday season, with all proceeds going back towards Very Special Kids services. Navigating crowded shopping centres can be...

Our first employee and patron, Sister Margaret Noone, celebrated a very special milestone today – turning 90 years old. Sister Margaret's life is a beacon of inspiration and her presence has enriched countless hearts. Our staff were delighted to celebrate alongside her and honour the many accomplishments she has achieved throughout her lifetime. One staff member shared a beautiful poem to recognise this very special birthday. Celebrating 90 years To work at Very Special Kids is rewarding but challengingAnd each of...

On Tuesday 21 November there will be double the excitement as we celebrate the opening of our world-class hospice and we also hold our annual matched giving day, A Very Special Day. For 24-hours only, all donations will be doubled to help keep the doors to Very Special Kids House open to children and young people with life-limiting conditions, 24/7. https://youtu.be/IzHuyEDeZFc For the children and families we support, if they can’t turn to us they would have nowhere else to...

On Sunday 10 September, our very special community came together to participate in A Walk to Remember. This event was centred around community, connection, legacy and paying tribute to the beautiful children and young people who live on in our memories. We are so grateful to all who attended and contributed to this special event in Malvern and Castlemaine. One mum, Jodie, shared a beautiful reflection of this special day. Jodie's family have beautiful memories of Mylah. While we talk...

Visiting the hospital can be an anxious and stressful experience. If you are a parent of a child or young person with a life-limiting condition, the hospital can also become an unwanted second home. Five-year-old Bibi and her mum Bronwyn are very familiar with this routine. Every three months, they attend the Neuromuscular Clinic at Royal Children’s Hospital. A visit to the clinic can last four to five hours, in which time Bibi will see up to five specialists in...

Interview by Pauline (Kelly’s family support practitioner) Kelly is a bereaved parent supported by Very Special Kids.  She has worked hard to understand her grief and reach a place of acceptance in her life.  After losing a teenage daughter in tragic circumstances, and a baby daughter to illness, Kelly is now embracing a new sense of self.  She likes and respects this emerging woman of creativity and self-assuredness, and so do I! Kelly, what have you learnt about yourself? On...

Written by volunteer, Georgie Johnstone Sunday 6 August. For many Melburnians, another cold, dreary morning, but for Very Special Kids families, staff and a few lucky volunteers, it was a very special occasion indeed – the first chance for families to experience the new Very Special Kids House. As families entered, any initial apprehension quickly turned to amazement and appreciation for the hard work over the last few years, spearheaded by Sister Margaret and CEO Michael Wasley. Guiding families around...

For over 33 years, Very Special Kids has been providing holistic palliative care for children and young people, and tailored support for their families. This includes respite in Victoria’s only children's hospice, trained volunteer support in the home and hospital, bereavement support, and sibling programs for families at the most difficult of times. This work is made possible through generous gifts in Will. Every gift, no matter what the size, makes an incredible difference. It is a thoughtful way to...

On Friday 11 August, we held our annual Footy Fever Debate! There were no-holds barred as our two teams tackled our contentious debate topic: AFL rule changes have improved the game. At the start of the lunch, not a single hand was raised in favour of this statement, but our persuasive panellists managed to flip the audience’s opinion! Congratulations to Matthew Richardson and Matt Granland for their exceptional debating skills and thank you to Rohan Connolly and Shane McInnes for...

Every year, 'Dying to Know Day' encourages conversation and community actions around death, dying and bereavement. Talking about death and dying can be tough. But keeping communication channels open can often help things seem less scary. Aria and her brother, Valentino We are honoured to share some thoughtful funeral tips that were written by very special sibling Aria after she attended her brother Valentino’s funeral. She specifically wanted to share these tips to help other kids know what to expect...