Alfie’s triumph at Christmas Four-year-old Alfie is stepping out, with a little help from Vision Australia. 2018 3 carols by Season’s Greetings! candlelight . from the CEO of Vision Australia WELCOME TO VISION AUSTRALIA’S CAROLS BY Candlelight, a fabulous tradition where families all across Australia join to celebrate Christmas. Children and their families are the focus of Carols by Candlelight. From celebrating big milestones, to sharing small moments of joy, Vision Australia works with 2,400 children and their families nationally, to provide expert services. We invite you to join us in a moment of Christmas joy and generosity, to help raise funds to continue our services for children. With your help, Vision Australia can make the future 4x Brighter for children who are blind or have low vision, and their families. Merry Christmas! RON HOOTON CEO, VISION AUSTRALIA . from the CEO of . from the MD Priceline Pharmacy of Nine Melbourne At Priceline Pharmacy we are Nine is very proud to be incredibly proud to be the partnering once again with presenting partner for Vision Vision Australia to broadcast Australia’s Carols by Candlelight. the 81st Carols by Candlelight. This historic event is loved by so Returning to the stage will many Australians, including our be Nine’s Sonia Kruger and customers. No matter what age you are, when it comes David Campbell to co-host the Christmas tradition to Christmas Eve, it is a tradition to be on your TV screen, featuring Australia’s top entertainers. unless you’re lucky enough to be seeing it live. In support of Vision Australia, 100% of profits Christmas is such an important time of year for from ticket sales on the night will go towards services Priceline Pharmacy as we celebrate within our stores for children and their families who are blind or have and local communities. As Australia’s leading health low vision, ensuring they are well-equipped to lead and beauty store we’re here to help you and your a full life. families feel beautiful inside and out through the On behalf of the Nine Network I’d like to wish you, holiday season. and those close to you, a very Merry Christmas and On behalf of the Priceline Pharmacy family, I wish you a happy New Year. a very happy Christmas and safe holiday season ahead. RICHARD VINCENT MATT SCRIVEN CEO AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, PRICELINE PHARMACY MANAGING DIRECTOR, NINE MELBOURNE Your donation will have 4x the impact this Christmas Eve. Find out how your dollar can multiply at carolsbycandlelight.com.au/BRIGHTER 4 carols by candlelight A story of hope and determination Alfie with Louise from the Feelix Library We want “I STARED INTENTLY INTO MY SECOND a way we never could have imagined.” the staff, explore the school and to make baby Alfie’s eyes, desperately trying to The sadness and fear started visit the classroom to make sure remember if it was something I’d seen shifting for Diana and her husband that everything runs as smoothly before. ‘I’m being silly,’ I told myself Rob as they realised that along with as possible for Alfie. “He can’t see Christmas and picked him up again, his warm this diagnosis there was the hope of things in the distance, so Sue and the face resting up against mine.” something new. They decided not teaching staff will also ensure he has “It was a few weeks later I was to think about the limitations and a front-row seat in the classroom!,” looking adoringly into those same focus on empowering Alfie. “We now Diana adds. 4x Brighter eyes when I saw it again, his eyes understood the challenge that had And, the Vision Australia team were constantly ‘flickering’. It was no been dealt to our little boy,” Rob says. will be there for Alfie, as he discovers longer a surprise as I was noticing They made a decision right there his personal challenges. Support for kids who it all the time now.” and then that they would take his varies, from orientation and mobility Diana Fisk, mother to William lead on the life he would live. training, provision of Feelix library (6) and Alfie (4) recalls her He would literally be viewing kits, his education and even helping are blind first few months with Alfie “We now the world in a different with employment. with a heavy heart but, understood way, and they could only “It’s amazing to have such or have as Alfie prepares for imagine what he would expertise available to ensure that kinder next year, she the challenge be capable of with that Alfie is able to fulfil any dream that and husband Rob have a that had been unique perspective. he may have growing up,” says Diana low vision. new determination and To help accomplish as she reaches out to the Australian a positive outlook on the dealt to our that, the family reached community. “With your help to amazing things that Alfie little boy.” out to Vision Australia, support Vision Australia, fears can be will be able to achieve. firstly to get support replaced by determination, by pride After Alfie was diagnosed and helpful information via and by hope.” with Nystagmus – a condition of its website and more recently to involuntary (or voluntary, in rare help to prepare Alfie for his first big Your donation will have 4x the impact this Christmas Eve ONLY, cases) eye movement, that may result milestone – going to kinder next year. in reduced or limited vision – there Alfie’s Vision Australia specialist thanks to the matching donations of the Vision Australia Community. were tears, but surprisingly, through Sue, will visit Alfie at home regularly www.visionaustralia.org 1300 84 74 66 those tears came something different. and will also go along to the Email: [email protected] “This challenge could shape him in kinder with the family to talk to $50 will turn into $200 of impact for these kids to reach their dreams. Your donation will have 4x the impact this Christmas Eve. Find out how your dollar can multiply at carolsbycandlelight.com.au/BRIGHTER Find out how your dollar can multiply at carolsbycandlelight.com.au/BRIGHTER 6 7 carols by carols by candlelight WIN a family Celebrate Christmas candlelight pass to Vision around town Australia’s Here are some ideas for families who want to keep their Christmas spirits up … Carols by Boho Luxe Make The Christmas Believe Boulevard Candlelight Market The magical Lights Make Believe: Pack a picnic, dust off your Santa hats, All your Residents of The Story of the and get ready to join us in the Christmas the Boulevard Myer Christmas Vision Australia Family Zone, shopping can in Ivanhoe Windows right at the front of the lawn! be done in style have been at the Boho Luxe Christmas Market. exhibition is an showcasing some of Melbourne’s To enter simply head to A curated selection of makers and exclusive exploration of the quirky biggest and brightest Christmas carols.visionaustralia.org/family designers, many of whom are not characters and fairytale displays of lights since the 1950s, with and tell us in 25 words or less why your available elsewhere in Melbourne, one of Melbourne’s most cherished thousands of visitors flocking to family is excited for Carols by Candlelight. will be selling candles, jewellery, traditions, 63 years since it first the street to witness the dazzling pet products, kids wear, artwork delighted audiences of all ages. displays over the years. Community *Terms and conditions apply. MELBOURNE MUSEUM, Visit carols.visionaustralia.org/family and more. groups provide food, coffee and for full details. FEDERATION SQUARE, DECEMBER 9 OPENS NOVEMBER 17 entertainment. Entries close Wednesday, 19 December 2018. IVANHOE BOULEVARD, What’s lighting up DECEMBER 15-24 Santa’s Christmas Melbourne Spectacular Fed Square hosts a 16-metre-tall Join us for Carols In a fun-filled circus adventure set in Christmas Tree, a Giant Christmas by Candlelight Santa’s magical workshop, the head Bauble, and a Gingerbread Village; Vision Australia’s Carols by elf, a snow fairy, Rudolph and the sculptures in Docklands are lit Candlelight, presented by Priceline man in red himself, dazzle children up with interactive projections; Pharmacy, is Australia’s premier and families. Santa’s Christmas Santa awaits a visit to his new Christmas extravaganza! Pack a Spectacular features a cast of home at the Town Hall and homes picnic, dust off your Santa hats and singing and dancing characters along Thomson Street in Northcote head down to Sidney Myer Music performing hilarious acrobatics. are decked out to impress. Bowl to experience the magic of this WONDERLAND JUNIOR, DOCKLANDS, VARIOUS LOCATIONS annual tradition. Tickets available UNTIL DECEMBER 23 THROUGHOUT DECEMBER from carolsbycandlelight.com.au SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL, REHEARSAL NIGHT DECEMBER 23 MAIN NIGHT DECEMBER 24 9 carols by What we do candlelight with your help . Vision Australia provides $4.3m of unfunded support every year to children 1. who are blind or have low vision 2. In 2017, $2.8m was raised for children’s services in just 24 hours 5. during the 4x Brighter campaign Almost 2,400 children are supported across Australia 3. 4. Provide 2.5 million minutes of services 1,412 Feelix reading kits are borrowed, which enable literacy for our youngest clients 1. Manicare Sonic Mini Facial Cleansing Brush, $49.99 2. Real Techniques Sleigh-In-It Gift Set, $42.99 3. Versace Bright Crystal EDT 30mL, $80 298 hours are dedicated 4. Models Prefer Colour Basics Kit, $15 5. Sharing Range available at Spring Hill Farm www.springhillfarm.com.au to recreation services, KC_001_MELB_230x135.qxp_KC_001_MELB_230x135 30/10/18 5:16 pm Page 1 in the six months immediately following Carols by Candlelight Children’s services Vision Australia assists families to help their children achieve the greatest levels of independence.