CASPA celebrated its first Christmas Carnival at the Lismore Turf Club on Saturday with raffles, rides, market stalls, food, a big entertainment stage and craft stalls.  

Despite the cloudy weather and occasional drizzle, the Christmas Carnival was well received and attended by a good crowd.

The feel of the place was one of wonder and delight. A small child showed the snow globe that he made. There were crafts made by the CASPA kids, and you could do beading and make cards. 

There was some young, up-and-coming talent on the big stage, thrashing out some great tunes and getting a taste of what performing is all about.

Helen and her young charge Sophia were at the jelly bean counting competition. Sophia said she was really enjoying the carnival, “It’s bigger and better than I expected.”

Naarah Rodwell, the Chief Executive of CASPA, was so pleased about the Christmas Carnival, “We want to give back to the community. We are a charity, and Lismore has been so supportive. 

The face painting was popular and very well done! 

“The response from the community has been amazing. We have been really impressed with how much people have been happy to engage and connect with us.”

Danni Waker from CASPA talks further about the success of the project, “The donations we got for our raffle are incredible. And then the amount of interest we had in the markets as well is really fantastic.  

“Knowing our community has been through such a tumultuous time, particularly economically, and a lot of people are still really struggling, spaces like this that bring us together to help support local businesses. The markets are being well received. 

Danni and Naarah by the Wishing Tree

“It also gives us somewhere to have joy, somewhere to actually be able to connect and engage and celebrate.”

The performers entertaining on stage varied from music students to local First Nations performers and rock bands. CASPA had so many people wanting to perform that they had more than enough to fill the billing. They have been so pleased with the enthusiasm from the community.

At the markets, they were encouraging anyone getting gifts for Christmas to grab something extra and get it wrapped at the gold coin wrapping station. Placed under the wishing tree, they will be given to any kids in care that might not get gifts, otherwise.

The CASPA kids were at the carnival, “It is just as much a celebration for any kids in care. It's like their end-of-year party," Danni said.

The CASPA team were having a great day of it, and the board of CASPA were keen to be involved in it also. They arranged a stall of their own - a photo booth. With a big Christmassy backdrop and a pile of glittery props and frames, it was a popular place to attend. 

CASPA Director Nick Harrison, said, “The board was happy to get involved and help to do something to give back to the community for what they've given to us for over so many years.

Mr Harrison getting into the spirit of the photo booth!

“This is a beautiful way of connecting with the community. I’ve been so impressed with how it's all gone - the organisation, the implementation - it’s all the work that everybody's put into it over weeks and weeks. It just shows in all the smiling faces and happy children.”

Angela Bontea, the Executive Director of Child, Youth, Family and Disability, gave a talk on myths surrounding foster care - there is a determination to break them.

“There's still lots of myths around that people don't disbelieve. You have to own your own home - not true. You can't be single, you can't be gay, you can't have your own children, or you have to have your own children.”

CASPA has taken large steps to make the process of fostering much easier and quicker, and you don’t even need to have the space or take someone on full-time, “A good thing about CASPA is that we have other ways that people can be foster carers.

“We have models where we have children stay in their own home, and the carer can go to them.”

If you are interested, there is training and checks to be done, but it should not take more than 6 to 8 weeks before you can take on the caring role.

Christmas elves spreading cheer and candy canes!

Peter Freer, Chief Operating Officer of CASPA, also gave a talk on how he has been helping the CASPA Kids. Peter is overseeing a program to give CASPA Kids exposure to experience in trades called Hammers for Hope.

“We've got a large property portfolio where kids and clients live, and to get external trades to do maintenance was difficult. So I suggested we make an internal team. 

“This is an opportunity for our kids to enter a program to get some skills, whether it be work experience, traineeships or the big hope - apprenticeships.”

Mr Harrison had the Hammers for Hope team removed and replace his bathroom. He was very impressed with the workmanship.

Danni and the CASPA team were very excited about the outcome of the day, even if the weather did not reflect the fun and the happy mood of the carnival goers who braved the weather. There are even talks of making this a regular event and maybe even more than once a year!