Our recent supported holiday to the Gold Coast was more than just a getaway; it was a week of ‘firsts’, lasting friendships and unforgettable milestones. From the thrill of the theme parks to the neon lights of Surfers Paradise, the group embraced every moment of their 24/7 supported adventure.

The undisputed highlight of the trip was the Aquaduck Tour. The group loved the transition from land to sea, but the real magic happened when participants Michael and Bradley were invited to take the helm. Under the guidance of the Skipper, both navigated the ‘Duck’ through the Gold Coast waters, a thrill that had the whole group cheering!

The adventure didn’t stop at the shoreline. Natalie proved that limits are meant to be pushed during a truly unforgettable Dolphin Experience. Despite the challenges of navigating sand and water, Natalie made it into the water to touch and engage with the dolphins from a wavy pontoon. It was a serene, powerful moment that left the entire group completely moved.

We saved the best for last with a farewell dinner at The Paradise Club. After a week of requests for live music, the dance floor finally opened up. The energy was infectious; one participant, who usually avoids the dance floor, spent the night dancing with his 1:1 support worker, while Michael’s moves were so impressive he had fellow diners stopping to compliment him!

As the group laughed and cheered for one another, several members of the public approached the team just to say how wonderful it was to see such pure joy in action. It was a heart-warming finale to a trip that proved, with the right support, the sky (and the sea) is the limit.

A Gold Coast Reunion: Geoff & Ingrid’s Special Moment

While the recent Gold Coast trip was full of sunshine and theme parks, for Geoff, the journey was about something much closer to the heart.

Geoff had a very specific goal for this holiday: he wanted to reunite with his long-time girlfriend, Ingrid. Many of our long-term staff will remember Ingrid, who was a much loved member of the team at Civic Industries before she moved to Queensland with her family.

When Geoff shared that his main motivation for joining the Gold Coast trip was to see Ingrid again, the Civic team went into ‘make it happen’ mode. We are so proud that our supported holidays aren’t just about the destination, they are about the people and the personal connections that matter most.

The pair spent a wonderful afternoon catching up and reminiscing about their time together at Civic. It was a heart-warming reminder that the work we do goes far beyond the office or the warehouse; it’s about supporting the relationships and dreams that make life meaningful.