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4LifeSkills IDPwD End of Year Celebration 2023

Showcasing Abilities, Fostering Inclusivity: A Look Back at 4LifeSkills’ International Day of People with Disability Celebration

At 4LifeSkills, we are passionate about supporting people with disabilities to live their lives to the fullest. That’s why we went all out to celebrate the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) with an unforgettable End of Year Celebration!

This year was a blast! We were beyond thrilled to witness the incredible talents and achievements of the people we support. The event brought together a vibrant community, united in celebrating abilities and fostering meaningful connections. We’ll take you through the most memorable highlights from the event, showcasing the extraordinary talents and skills of our remarkable individuals with disabilities.

Brushing Into Action: The Speed Painting Challenge Begins!

Artists seated down at our speed painting competition painting a theme on their canvas using acrylic paint.
Artists (Myles, Alex, Georgia, Rhiannon, Chloe) at our speed painting competition create captivating masterpieces in just 10 minutes, skillfully bringing to life the chosen theme.

At the start of our event, we opened doors for a speed painting competition and were blown away by the talents that emerged from our artists. With only 10 minutes on the clock, their challenge was to create a painting using acrylics, inspired by a given theme. During the round, Myles drew detailed facial features for his piece, Alex started his canvas with a splash of yellow, Georgia painted some vibrant forest-like elements on her canvas, Rhiannon meticulously painted a vibrant red figure, and Chloe skillfully crafted her colourful arches.

The speed and urgency of the competition made for exciting viewing and we all cheered on our participants as they created their masterpieces. It was heartwarming to see the joy on their faces as they produced stunning artwork and pushed their creative boundaries. As we awarded the winners their prizes, it was clear that we were not just celebrating their artistic abilities but also recognising the special talents that make them unique. We were proud to host an event that showcases the amazing capabilities of those with disabilities.

Gemma, Ethan, Myles, and Xavier proudly display their prize-winning artwork from the speed painting competition. With beaming smiles, they pose alongside their stunning canvases, clutching their well-deserved prizes.
Gemma, Ethan, Myles, and Xavier proudly display their prize-winning artwork from the speed painting competition. With beaming smiles, they pose alongside their stunning canvases, clutching their well-deserved prizes.

Expression Through Talent: Client Showcases

Blaz’s incredible craftsmanship shines through his exquisite wooden vases and pots, as well as his intricate chessboard, as he is seen engaging in a game of chess with Peter.

The event was jam-packed with a burst of creativity as the individuals we support showcased their remarkable talents. We had Blaz and Liam who brought in their intricately crafted woodwork. On his days out, Blaz would head to the Cockburn Community Men’s Shed with Peter, where he utilised the available facilities to skillfully craft and refine exquisite wooden creations. These masterpieces encompassed a wide range of items, from elegant vases and pots to the intricate craftsmanship of a rustic chessboard. We were delighted by his unexpected attendance at the event!

Photo collage of different people with disabilities showcasing their talents, one doing a speech, another, playing a violin, organising a trivia, a table of artwork and woodwork, and another who is in charge of the music, sound and Disco.
Jack, Alex, Michelle, and Matthew showcased diverse performances and hosted a range of engaging activities (e.g. speech, violin performance, lunch trivia, disco).

Our budding entrepreneurs from our Arts for Entrepreneurs program also brought in their awe-inspiring artwork that they have created over the months, from paintings, decorations, to jewellery. We also love that Kieran had also brought in some of his paper collages and sculptures, charging the atmosphere with the passion of our artists.

Later in the afternoon, Jack confidently wheeled forward and delivered a powerful speech, inspiring others to share their heartfelt expressions. This sparked a chain reaction of courageous individuals taking turns on the microphone, passing it from one person to another with festive greetings and wishes. As a surprise, Alex Nagy, a violin virtuoso, stepped up to the stage and captivated the audience with a rendition of “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion, leaving a lasting impression on our hearts.

We also loved how Michelle, a 4lifeskills reference group member, took the initiative to add a touch of fun by organising a lunch trivia with Tracy that brought joy and camaraderie to the celebration. To top it off, Matthew, our extraordinary sound engineer, infused the event with infectious beats and ensured the smooth flow of activities through his announcements. All in all, their various talents and skills were on full display, leaving everyone thoroughly entertained, and it was amazing to witness!

Tablescaping Triumph: The Best Decorated Table Showdown

A colourful centerpiece created by our clients and support staff.
One of our winning tables for the best-decorated table competition.

Ensuring we have inclusive activities for the ones who prefer to sit by their table and watch the action unfold, we have introduced a best-decorated table competition where each table will be provided craft materials that they can utilise to create a unique tablescape. After the tables have been dressed to their best, our team of judges will select the top three winners based on creativity and originality. We would like to acknowledge Kirrily for her brilliant idea and her role in initiating this!

This competition was a great way for everyone to express themselves while having fun and interacting with each other. We love seeing the community and the people we support be absorbed into the creation of their centerpieces, and how it helps promote self-expression and creative thinking!

Merry Moments: A Santa Surprise for Our Valued Clients

Marijana, Dominic, Nick, Taelah excitedly posing for a photo with Santa by a black backdrop, sitting on the chair.
Marijana, Dominic, Nick, and Taelah strike a pose filled with excitement as they capture a memorable moment with Santa.

With the IDPwD being in December, our 4LifeSkills Community likes to bring our cherished tradition of spreading festive cheer to our end-of-year celebration. Our very own jolly team member, Tom, selflessly steps into the role of Santa Claus, bringing joy, laughter, and delightful gifts that our volunteers and fellow staff have wrapped for the occasion. Additionally, our talented photographer and one of our exceptional schedulers, Somkar, captures stunning moments of our cherished individuals. Filled with an overwhelming sense of anticipation, a crowd gathered in line, eagerly awaiting their turn to capture a cherished moment with Santa and receive a delightful little gift. The excitement grew in their hearts as they couldn’t contain their eagerness to unwrap the surprises that awaited them! Undoubtedly, this became one of the most memorable highlights for all.

(P.S. A little thank you to our staff, Claude and Connor for jumping in to help facilitate the crowd and session).

4LifeSkills Groove: A Disco Session Orchestrated by DJ Matthew Hurlston

What’s a celebration without some good tunes and some dancing? We were incredibly lucky to have Matthew Hurlston do his thing on stage as a sound engineer extraordinaire! Matthew effortlessly managed all of the equipment, audio, song requests and delivered hit after hit, making it hard to stay off the dancefloor. As we danced and sang our hearts out to our favourite party anthems, Matthew smoothly transported us from vibe to vibe making sure everyone felt the energy and freedom to express and connect through the music. We could not believe how quickly the dance floor was filled as everyone took turns to do the limbo and groove to the beats. It was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved and there were plenty of sore cheeks from the smiling the day after.

A picture of Luz and Matthew sitting next to his sound equipment ready to start the disco.
Luz and Matthew, full of excitement, are captured in the photo, sitting next to his impressive sound equipment, ready to kick off an epic disco party!

For the past 10 years, Matthew has been the dedicated Sound Guy, bringing his expertise to various events like the MircoToons launch and the lively Easy Beatz disco in Armadale. Accompanied by his invaluable Support Worker, Luz, Matthew seamlessly sets up his equipment and interacts with event coordinators, ensuring a smooth and successful experience for all involved. Thanks for bringing the vibes, Matthew!

The Finale: A Heartfelt Farewell

As the afternoon drew to a close, we had just enough time to say goodbye with heartfelt hugs and tender smiles – something our community members value most about 4LifeSkills events. We concluded our celebration with a joyful dance to the rhythm of captivating tunes. We can honestly say that this event would never have been possible without all of you – from those who attended, to those who offered help and support.

The 4LifeSkills International Day of People with Disability End of Year Celebration was a huge success. It was a day to celebrate abilities and achievements, foster a sense of community, and promote inclusivity and unity. The people we support showcased their talents and skills with enthusiasm, and their stories inspired us all. We are grateful for the community’s support and commitment to supporting people with disabilities. We believe everyone has the potential to make a positive impact on the world, and events like these only reinforce that belief. At 4LifeSkills, we are dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and rejoicing in their remarkable accomplishments, no matter how big or small.

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