Setup is Monday 23rd November, with the Party on Tuesday 24th November in the Exhibition Hall of Melbourne Showgrounds

UPDATE: Setup is now full. We are only accepting registrations for the day of the Party

The aim of the Children's Christmas Party is to give more than 2,500 children from all over Melbourne and Victoria a day they will never forget. The children invited may have a serious illness, a physical or intellectual disability, or complex needs. The Party is not open to the public, children are invited personally through schools, charities and care providers.

We put on a completely free day including lunch, drinks, fruit, lollies, ice creams and chips, a three hour live stage show, face painting, rides, interactive displays and much more. And of course, Santa Claus! Each child receives at least three high quality presents. We've been organising the Party for over 30 years, and with your help we'll make this one of the best days ever for the children.

About Volunteering for the Party: 

• Your role for the day will be assigned prior to arrival.
• We encourage you to be flexible and use initiative, it's a busy and rewarding day.
• We plan every role around the volunteers who register, so if your plans change, please let us know as early as possible

Your responsibilities as a volunteer 

• You must wear your Christmas Party T-shirt, name badge at all times. 
• All volunteers must report to the Volunteer Registration point to sign in from 9am. 
• All volunteers use the check in app provided or sign in that morning. 
• We welcome your feedback, suggestions and recommendations as a result of your volunteer experience. Please provide comments to [email protected] 
• Please assist us to provide a safe, welcome and happy environment for all of our guests. 
• Please wear sensible, closed in shoes (no thongs or sandals). 
• Keep yourself hydrated. 
• Smokers/Vapers, for the parents there will be a designated area however we ask that you have your cigarette break out of view of the public. Please keep the area clean and tidy and use the ashtrays provided. 
• It is advisable not to bring valuables to the event as we don’t provide lockers. 
• Please do not ask for any left over toys, these are distributed to other organisations and hospitals. 
• The Party finishes at 2:00pm, it will only take 30 - 40 minutes to clean up if everyone stays! 
• If you are under the age of 15 or a member of your team is under 15, they can help during the party, however they must wait in the foyer until the back loading dock doors are closed. All children (under 15) must be offsite before we re-open the dock doors. Anyone under 15 will be asked to vacate when the children leave at 2:00pm. The venue will not allow the dock doors to open unless all children are offsite. 
• No volunteers under 15 are allowed during the Setup.

Working With Children Check (WWC Check) 

We are committed to providing a safe environment for our invited guests. Because every child attends in the company of their parent or carer, volunteers are not legally required to hold a WWC Check for this event. However, we strongly recommend it, and if you volunteer regularly in roles involving direct contact with children, Victorian law requires you to hold one. The check is free for volunteers and valid for 5 years. More information and applications:  Application Form.

If you already hold a WWC Check, please enter your card number below.

VOLUNTEERING AT THE SETUP - NOW FULL
Monday, 23rd November
Exhibition Hall
Melbourne Showgrounds

We require a number of volunteers to assist the day before the party with the following tasks:

Unpack, set up & display the children's gifts in the Toy Room
Decoration of Toy Room and Santa’s Area
Infrastructure Set Up - trestle tables, chairs, signage etc
Unloading deliveries of food and other goods

Volunteers will be required 10am - 10:15am for sign in, with a 10:30am start. Finishing time is dependent on the number of volunteers and tasks to be completed. Lunch will be provided. We will try to contain this component to 5-6 hours.

PARKING is Free via Gate 5 off Langs Road Ascot Vale

All volunteers for the SETUP must be over 15 years and older

If you have any volunteers in your team under the age of 15, they can help during the party, however they must wait in the foyer until the loading dock doors are closed. All children must be offsite before we re-open the dock doors. They will be asked to vacate when the children leave at 2:30pm.