‘I care about what happens’: Kid’s special party back in Cairns

After being put on pause last year the Cairns Special Children’s Christmas Party is back in 2024 and has a bright Far North future under new event owners. SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY

The Cairns Special Children's Christmas party is back after being cancelled in 2023. Picture: Peter Carruthers

After being put on pause last year, the Cairns Special Children’s Christmas Party was back in 2024 and has a bright Far North future under new event owners.

After 30 years of managing the Cairns, Mackay and Townsville events Anniemarie Hodson suddenly retired after the party in 2022.

The changing of the guard meant special needs children missed out on the free celebration the following year.

Starting from scratch at the beginning of 2024, new owner Ally Young has worked through the ownership transition to now run all the North Queensland events alongside her original party in Tasmania.

“There was a bit of a disconnect,” she said.

Photo gallery: Kid’s special party event returns to Cairns

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“When I came up here, we had to pretty much start from scratch, so everything you see on the floor, the blow up (toys), the decorations, we’ve had to pay for it all again, so it makes it a bit hard,” she said.

However, after much hard work it all came together to gift the usual spirit of inclusion and joy to special needs children and their families at the Cairns Convention Centre on Saturday.

Jumping castles, games, wildlife petting, costumed characters, kid’s entertainment, a visit from Santa, plus the generous gifting of presents, made the event a highlight of the festive season for disabled and special needs kids from all over the Far North.

The Christmas Party is a business that operates under different owners throughout Australia and relies on sponsorship deals with local businesses who receive brand exposure in exchange for goods and donations.

“To me, it’s not about the monetary side of things,” Ms Young said.

“It’s about the outcome, I care about what happens, like how the kids get to have a day out for themselves and whenever I get feedback, when it’s good, I love it when it’s bad, I take it to heart.”

Going forward Ms Young said she was committed to making sure the Cairns event was here to stay long into the future.

“Now that it’s established again, it will be every single year, so as long as we have the funding for it, we will always make it happen,” she said.

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Originally published as ‘I care about what happens’: Kid’s special party back in Cairns