Facts about the Program
NI-Connect commenced the Holiday Wellbeing Program in January 2020 and we have run a total of 19 programs (one every holiday. We regularly have over 100 children (Prep – Yr 6) register for each program and cater to a maximum of 80 kids each day.
To meet safety standards, we need 8 adult staff for 80 children so there is a ratio of 1 adult for every 10 children, and double the adult staff numbers if we are doing activities in the water. We employ local casual staff in every program to make sure we have enough adults. We also offer casual employment for 14 – 17-year-olds so they can get work experience and build their skills and interest in working with children and families in the future.
Over $ 20,000 is spent on casual wages for local staff and young people each program adding to the local economy. We receive funding from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts and there is no cost.
THANK YOU to the Norfolk Island community members for their support of this program.
Our mission
Empowering children to give it a go and have FUN in a safe and creative environment.
What are we trying to achieve with the HWP?
• A fun, safe and supervised program of holiday activities which meet the diverse needs and interests of children and support families during school holiday periods.
• Giving the children opportunities to try different experiences, building new relationships
and friendships, supporting cultural knowledge and understanding and promoting enjoyment of Norfolk
Island’s natural environment.
• Developing relationships and trust with children and families, enabling them to feel comfortable, valued and safe to talk to staff and access other support services if they require them.
Highlights from the April 2025 Program
The visiting Clown – Nic Furry, Stage performance, Bus scavenger hunt, Easter craft and cooking, team marshmallow building challenge games, grass sliding, recycling fashion, popcorn and movie time.
A massive thank you to the incredibly generous individuals, families, and businesses who helped make the Holiday Wellbeing Program such a success…
Pinetree Tours
Norfolk Island Regional Council Norfolk Island
Health and Wellbeing
Australia Post Annex – Kath
Applause Entertainment Sydney – Nick Fury
To our casuals and young leaders, we are so grateful for how much effort you put into making sure all the kids have fun.
Daniel Anderson
Amy Quintal
Harley Massey
Eliza Holland
Lola Robinson
Heidi Thomas
Leeloo Evans
Kes Harper
Baylee Dinsmor
Sarah Cignarella Tighe Judd
Cassie McCoy
Kevin Knapp
Sebastian Grant
Darlene Grant
Ben Grant
Lisa Smith
Kingston Menzies
Charlotte Goodall Rawson Buffett
Debbie McGregor
Lukas Andrew
Zechariah Pettet
Tyla Schmitz
Pheona Heslop
Elliana Henderson
Ryan Buffett-Cooper
Shae French
Charlie Umlauft
Your experiences, thoughts and ideas
Feedback from children and families using the program, local casual staff and young people working at the program and our permanent NI-Connect staff all help so we can keep trying to make this a better program for the kids, better support for families and a great place to work.
NI-Connect Holiday Wellbeing Program team is always looking for interesting and new ideas. If you have any special knowledge or skills that you might like to teach, pass on or share with the kids please let us know.
NI-Connect is already in the process of planning the next Holiday Wellbeing Program.
If you would like to work for the program, or do you have any unique skills or knowledge that you would like to pass onto the next generation through workshops or activities, then we would love to hear from you!
NI-Connect on Taylors Road at the Bounty Centre. OR Call: 23380 or Email: brigette.graham@keyassets.org.au
Acknowledgement: NI-Connect’s child and family wellbeing services are funded by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.
