Windgap Summer Snapshot

Windgap Christmas Party

Participants and staff across our programs and services enjoyed getting together at the The Juniors Kingsford to celebrate at our end of year Christmas party.

Thanks to our special guests Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Irish Consul General – Rosie Keane, Crispin Conroy, Windgap Patron – Paul Graham, Stan Stamatellis, Marjorie O’Neill MP, Clr Danny Said, and all our families & carers.

Along with the festivities, there were awards presented for years of participation at Windgap as well as our end of year awards. The 2023 Spirit of Windgap award went to Kym and William took out the Supported Employee of the Year award.

The day was full of laughter, catching up, prizes, dancing, singing, lunch and of course the appearance of Santa. The day was full of laughter, catching up, prizes, dancing, singing, lunch and of course the appearance of Santa. Be sure to check out our full photo album from the event.

Windgap at Work

My Voice, My Choice

Windgap is delighted that our brand new Participant-led podcast: My Voice My Choice is out for all to listen. Tune in as our team talks bullying, sports, popular culture and so much more. A special shoutout to Bryanna, who spearheaded this program, championing the voices of our Participants and ensuring that they could share topics close to their hearts.

Four episodes are out now. Click here to listen on Spotify. Be sure to keep an eye out with more episodes to come.

Living the Values Awards

Windgap strives to improve the quality of life for people with an intellectual disability by supporting them to reach their full potential as to their needs and aspirations. To aid this we have 5 core values: Integrity – Care – Empowerment – Innovation – Independence. We are delighted to share the recipients of our Annual Living the Values Awards, given to those employees who exemplified these values. Congratulations: Louise, Aisling, Carol and Tahj.

Able Plus Randwick

Windgap recently attended our local Able Plus event. This event served as a platform for service providers to come together and engage with Individuals with disabilities, Families & Carers, Teachers, and Local Area Coordinators. We believe in the power of collaboration and networking to enhance the support and services we offer, and are pleased to have been part of an event that facilitates such important interactions.

Community Spotlight

2024 Windgap Gala Ball Glamour at the Discotheque

The Windgap Gala Ball brings together people in our community who share a common goal – to help create opportunities for adults with disabilities.

All funds raised from the 2024 Gala Ball will provide a range of programs, services and equipment for over 250 participants at Windgap aged 18 to 85 years old.

St Patrick’s Day Fundraising Breakfast 2024

Event Details

• When: Saturday 16th March, 2024
• Where: The Juniors Kingsford, 558a Anzac Parade, Kingsford
• Time: 8:30am to 11am (Doors open 8am)
• Entertainment: Shindig Irish Band and the Kennedy Irish Dance School
• Cost: $30 Windgap Participants – $45 for Family Members & Friends of Windgap  – $15 Children under 10 years

Diamonds Choir

To cap off 2023, the Diamonds Choir dazzled at the first Malabar Community Carols at the Randwick Golf Club. They created a magical Christmas experience that resonated with the community in front of a fantastic turnout.

On the back of this they continued to wow audiences around the Eastern Suburbs with their performances. Entertaining at the Daceyville Residential Aged Care and The Day Centre War Memorial Hospital.

Windgap Programs

Florence Avenue Day Program

The sun has been shining and our Florence Avenue team have been thriving. Some adventures include the team travelling out to Cockatoo Island via Ferry. Sailing Sydney Harbour thanks to Sailability NSW as well as getting their sporting fix in with golf, tennis and basketball.

Other highlights include a ‘tactile tour’ at Sculptures by the Sea, strolling through Bondi on a sensory-guided tour. Playful moments fishing, exercising and sharing laughs at the fantastic water park Steele Park. Laughter echoed at Hyde Park Barracks Museum with travel training continuing to take them to experience more sights of Sydney.

In December, Florence bid a bittersweet farewell to the exceptional dance instructor, Terri. Over the past seventeen years, she illuminated their Wednesdays with her passion and enthusiasm. As she steps into retirement, they sent her off with a heartfelt guard of honour, expressing gratitude for the joy and dance moves she shared.

Botany Grove Day Program

Our Botany Grove squad have been enjoying some aquatic adventures. They have been floating out and going on kayaking adventures in the local area. For those wishing to keep their feet on land they have also been learning how to fly fish, casting out their ropes hoping for a bite.

The Participants also loved their trip to the Australian Museum. Forever looking for inspiration, our artists loved seeing the wide array of exhibits, sculptures and paintings on display.

Draper Day Program

The Christmas period saw Belinda from Little Luu Luus Cakes come in and she kindly volunteered to lead a workshop on decorating a festive reindeer cake, before helping put up a Christmas tree. Draper continued with Christmas festivities, clinching victory at the Wednesday Cabaret show at South Juniors and winning a Christmas hamper bursting with goodies. They then ventured into the enchanting world of ‘Carol Claus’ at Glen Street Theatre, soaking in the magic of the Christmas Pantomime, before transforming their room into a Christmas Wonderland.

Some other highlights of summer include a day at Taronga Zoo thanks to complimentary tickets from the Zoo. The giraffes were a huge hit with the crew and the day was a massive success. The team also spent a day at the Powerhouse Museum exploring various exhibits and interactive zones.

Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE)

Our warehouse team has been flat out this summer. With Clean Up Australia Day just around the corner, they have been relentlessly preparing kits for the big clean up day. All that on top of a few new major packing jobs has our warehouse having stock constantly coming and going out the door. Thankfully we have such a great group of supported employees and dedicated staff who make all this possible.

School Leaver Employment Support

The SLES team have continued to produce hone their craft and produce high quality coffee and food at the Tukkabox Cafe. On top of these duties a group of them head off every Monday to assist Taronga Zoo with food preparation for the animals. Here they spend their morning working alongside the Zoo staff in cutting up carrots for Giraffes and green goodness for the mighty Gorillas. The team at Taronga love having our guys their to support them!

Life After Work (LAW)

The LAW squad have been busy cultivating an array of produce in their garden, including the start of a green bean harvest. The anticipation is building as they eagerly await the ripening of baby eggplants, capsicums, and rocket—soon to join the culinary line-up. Meanwhile, the fruit trees are in full swing, adorned with baby apples, oranges, and plums. Some treasures have already found their way to the ground, prompting a delightful round of fruit scooping! A big thanks to our hardworking gardeners whose dedication and care have made this possible.

In non-garden news, LAW Participant Joanne wanted a fancy dress party to celebrate her birthday. So everyone got dressed up and ready to party. It was a fabulously fun day filled with games, fashion parades, singing and cake.