Gumbuya family event a splashing success
Gumbuya family event a splashing success
9 December 2022
When kids weren’t splashing in the pool, Gumbuya World staff member Chris (and his puppet monkey) were on hand to entertain more than 1600 people who attended the Divisional Family Fun Day at Gumbuya World in Tynong North.
Summer is here, and like a moth to a flame, families again flocked to Gumbuya World last week for the Victoria Division’s Family Fun Day.
More than 1600 people from 23 mission expressions of The Salvation Army attended the event, enjoying a relaxing day at the water-themed amusement park.
Area Officer Major Simon Damen (left), Children’s Secretary Naty Keung (right) and their team helping people check in from all over the state at the front gates of Gumbuya World.
About 600 children attended, with many community members returning after last year’s ‘splashdown’. And in the 12 months between events, they have become increasingly connected to their local corps.
“Reservoir Corps started their Kids in the Kitchen program in Term 3 this year, and they are trying to reach out to disadvantaged children in the local school nearby,” Children’s Ministry Secretary Naty Keung said. “The program went so well that children start to appreciate and enjoy eating the food that they didn’t enjoy before. On this Family Fun Day, the corps brought over 70 people, with a few families and children from the Kids in the Kitchen Program.
“Morwell Corps brought over 450 people to this event. Over 60 children and families from the corps are from Messy Church, and the rest are through Doorways and different community programs.”
For the Doorways Latrobe team at Morwell Corps, the event was an opportunity to extend hospitality to more than their regular community members. They encouraged everyone to bring their family and friends from across the state, allowing them to reunite at Gumbuya World for a portion of the regular admission fee.
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Families from Reservoir Salvos enjoyed the dodgem cars and wildlife at Gumbuya World. Especially Corps Officers Aux-Lieuts Matt and Esther Atkins and their children!
It meant that more than 450 people came from the La Trobe Valley region alone. And for the handful who couldn’t access transport to the water park, the team utilised funding to hire a bus, volunteering their time to drive people to the venue in Pakenham.
“This event is the biggest group of people I have [ever worked with],” Team Leader Myla Bennett said. “We put in extra effort to grow, and when community members invited friends and family, we could invite them to be part of a Salvation Army program. It was a happy day.”
Myla and her team advertised the event through posters, pamphlets and over the phone months in advance. And for those who could not afford the fee, the expression covered the cost, so no one was left out. It resulted in a large, diverse group of people arriving from their expression on the day, including 157 members of the Muslim community who were excited to get involved.
While families come for the fun and excitement of the water park, some of the greatest opportunities for connection occur on the bus trip to and from Gumbuya World, which is located at Tynong North, an hour’s drive east of Melbourne. Time on the road allows parents, caregivers and corps leaders to build relationships, which can be continued into the new year.
“It is exciting to see so many connections and relationships are formed, and it will be my prayer that these children and families are able to connect back to the church community during the Christmas season,” Naty said.
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