This article was first published in the Phillip Island & San Remo Advertiser on 17 March 2023.
Holidays have just been a dream for Tammy and her four young children who have been living in transitional accommodation for the last couple of years. Their small unit is incredibly overcrowded and there is no garden to play in.
But thanks to the Magical Getaway Foundation, magic and lifetime memories were created last week with their first ever holiday on Phillip Island.
Together with eight other children and their parents (five families in total), they spent five nights at the Kaloha Holiday Resort in Cowes.
“There was so much space in our cabin,” said Tammy.
“The kids loved running around and collecting shells. They don’t want to get out of the hot spa.
“It’s so great because they’ll have something normal to talk about at school. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity!”
During the week, with thanks for their generosity and support, they visited A Maze'N Things, the Chocolate Factory and on their last night watched the Penguin Parade.
“Research tells us that providing families experiencing real hardship with their first ever holiday can be life changing. It’s such a simple idea that can make such a big difference,” said Kat Stewart, Ambassador, Magical Getaway Foundation.
“It’s not about the holiday, it’s what the holiday brings; hope.”
Holidays improve wellbeing, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and strengthen family communication and bonding.
A previous recipient of a first ever holiday, Liana, said her family’s holiday was a chance to reset as a family.
“What they do and achieve is absolutely heart touching and life changing to families who would never get to experience such joy.”