Not even Melbourne’s grey, cold, drizzly spring* weather could dampen our spirits or the skip in our step as the CPSN community gathered. Unique, united and excited for our second annual Family Fun Day at the beautiful Leopard Lodge at Melbourne Zoo on Sunday, 9 November.
From the moment you walked in,the space was alive and vibrant with colour and energy. Our team had been busybehind the scenes preparing for this event for weeks. We worked with vigour andurgency to ensure that everyone’s needs were met and produced this fantastic Social Script in preparation for the day.
It was all hands-on deck as we set up the room with an almost military-like precision. In the words of Brian, one of our support coordinators: “Assembling these new banner stands feels like putting together soccer goal posts!” If you know Brian, you’ll know that he adores soccer. One of our clients gifted Brian with a soccer jigsaw puzzle she had completed and glued together just for him. We’re pretty sure that he will take much pride in placing this in his home office or even on his mantlepiece.
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Fresh marketing banners, vibrant brochures, wonderful prints of clients from our website, the kids activity area, information desk, and our team sporting our brand new CPSN t-shirts in dark green and baby blue, lthe room was gradually transformed into a wonderfully warm, welcoming jungle oasis, complete with cascading foliage and a leafy backdrop for the buffet.
For many of our staff, this was their first time experiencing the magic and excitement of this event. For some,the first-time meeting their colleagues face-to-face. It was equally special for us to finally put faces to the names of those we know so well from our videos, website, and the incredible stories we share with each other throughout the year, including Christian Ali and his mum Cheryl, and two of our Supported Independent Living ‘dream team,’ best mates Luke and Nick.
The day was hosted by our Service Delivery General Manager, Tish Custance-Thurston, who stepped in as MC with warmth and enthusiasm. While our CEO, Kellie O’Shea, couldn’t join us in person due illness, technology came to the rescue ensuring we had Kellie on screen warmly welcoming all attendees.
Our Marketing officer, Josh Daniel also stepped in to help to thaw out our shy guests by providing an entertaining icebreaker question: “If you could transform yourself into any animal at the zoo, what would it be and why?”
Thanks to Harvey, our marketing consultants and our tech team, Kellie appeared on screen to deliver a short, heartfelt message reflecting on CPSN’s journey towards our refreshed new branding, a revitalised and re-energised focus on person-centred support, and the unwavering commitment to choice, control, and quality support that has defined us for over 30 years. We also viewed some video presentations around CPSN and our services.
Following the formalities, we all gathered for a delicious buffet of barbecued delights, fresh salads, and tasty sides. Finally the sun made an appearance - perfect timing!
While many quietly enjoyed their meals indoors, some of the more energetic kids headed outside for playtime on the grass. Laughter filled the air as they chased each other, tried their luck at the ring toss, and competed to see who could blow the biggest bubbles with bubble wands. For a quieter, fun activity option, animal themed headbands and colouring activities were available inside, as was the face painter, Brisa, but for several, catching a glimpse of long-awaited sunshine proved hard to resist!
Sonya from our Human Resources team was an unexpected star of the day with the kids, taking a turn with the challenge of keeping the bubble wands active for the kids enjoyment outdoors.
They raced to pop every bubble she blew, and she acted as a referee, keeping the peace with the children to ensure there was as little fighting as possible over whose turn it was for the bubble wands next!
Once again CPSN Client Michaela Fernando joined us, lending her photography skills to help capture our event, along with Michael Motta.
We were also thrilled to be joined by our board members, Peter Halcomb, Tara Eaton, and Liz Ellis who came to show their support and say hello.
At the event’s conclusion we all went our own ways to go and explore some more of our wonderful zoo and its’ inhabitants.
Our Family Fun Day wasn’t just an event, it was a celebration of community, resilience, and the connections that we make with each other that make CPSN so special.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped create such a memorable day. We can’t wait to see you again next year. A big thank you to all of our suppliers for helping us make this event possible:
Photography: Michaela Fernando and Alex Motta
Cheeky Faces Entertainment: Brisa the face painter
Team Harvey: Becky, Simon and the team for organising our new banners and new look
The Events and food and beverage team at Melbourne Zoo’s Leopard Lodge: led by Alyssa Steyn
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped us to create such a roaringily fun and memorable day. We can’t wait to see you again next year.
*spring - a highly variable season of weather we’ve experienced in 2025 that’s subject to change,several times to another season entirely due to the wild unpredictability ofMelbourne weather! 😊
Marketing Officer
CPSN
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