October 2026

Welcome to the October edition of Heartly News.

Last month, we shared the story of a five-year-old boy who received an eye gaze device to help him communicate. This month, we’re heading to Rockhampton Special School, where a new eye gaze communication device is helping five students express their ideas, make choices and take a more active role in their learning.

These specialised devices are among the most significant grants Variety Queensland provides, not just because of their cost, but because of the opportunities they open up for children. We’re excited to share this uplifting update with you.

In this edition:

• Impact Story: Giving Children a Voice in the Classroom
• Creating Possibility Together: The Difference You Are Making | Meet Our Variety Heart Scholarship Recipients | Variety International Centennial Award
• Opportunities for Variety Families: EduKids Grants Opening Soon | Give Indoor Skydiving a Go

Giving Children a Voice in the Classroom

Every child deserves the opportunity to be heard.

At Rockhampton Special School, a new piece of technology is helping children share their ideas, express their choices and take a more active role in their learning.

Variety Queensland recently contributed $15,000 towards a Tobii i-16 eye gaze communication device – one of our most significant community grants – replacing an outdated machine that was no longer working.

For children who communicate using their eyes rather than speech or touch, this technology can open up a whole new world of possibilities.

The device allows children to select words, symbols and responses simply by looking at them on a screen. It gives them more ways to communicate what they think, feel and understand, helping them participate in classroom activities with greater independence.

And the difference is already being seen.

Recently, students at Rockhampton Special School created their own artworks and were invited to share their thoughts about their finished pieces. Using the Tobii i-16, they could access a much wider range of vocabulary to describe their creations, rather than choosing from just four pre-selected responses.

For these children, it was an opportunity to share more of their own thoughts, ideas and creativity.

While the students are still developing their communication skills and confidence, the device is helping remove barriers to learning and giving their voices more room to be heard.

For regional communities, specialised equipment like this can be difficult to access. The school’s existing budget couldn’t cover the cost, and other suitable funding options weren’t available within the time needed.

That’s where Variety Queensland grants can make a difference.

Although the device will directly support five students, its impact reaches beyond the technology itself. It gives teachers and allied health professionals a consistent way to support communication, helping children build skills, develop relationships and take a more active role in their learning.

Because every child has something to say. Sometimes, they just need the right tools to help them say it.

Thanks to Variety supporters, five children at Rockhampton Special School have more opportunities to express themselves, share their ideas and be included in their learning.

Creating Possibility Together

Every month, your support helps Variety Queensland turn practical needs into real opportunities for children across our state.

In September, our 18 grants, alongside ongoing programs such as Financial Literacy and the YMCA Schools’ Breakfast Program, helped make a difference for 3,534 children across Queensland.

We supported schools in Bray Park, Capalaba, Dysart, Mudgeeraba, Sharon, St George, Stanthorpe and Toowoomba with everything from sensory and gross motor equipment to decodable reading books, wheelchairs, laptops, boccia sets and eSports equipment. Grants also helped cover school camp transport, a defibrillator and a Healthy Heads head lice program.

We were also proud to fund replacement playground equipment for a domestic violence emergency accommodation centre, helping create a welcoming space for children and families during a challenging time.

And for individual children, the right support can open up a world of possibility. In September, grants helped provide:

• A treehouse and trampoline for a nine-year-old boy, creating more opportunities for movement, play and fun.
• Play equipment for a six-year-old girl, supporting opportunities to explore, develop skills and enjoy being a kid.
• An iPad, speech app and cubby house for a four-year-old girl, supporting communication, learning and play.
• A swing set and specialised medical mattress for a 10-year-old boy living in a low-income household.
• An indoor ninja course, along with educational, art and school supplies, for a seven-year-old boy.

For some families, the cost of specialised equipment and everyday supports can put them out of reach. And when suitable assistance isn't available through existing funding pathways, Variety can help bridge the gap.

Together, we're helping more children access the tools, experiences and opportunities they need to reach their full potential. Thank you for making it possible!

Meet our Variety Heart Scholarship recipients

20 talented young Queenslanders are taking another step towards their dreams, with support from the 2026-27 Variety Heart Scholarships.

Together, the scholarships represent $100,000 in support, made possible through the generous support of the Grahame Mapp Family Foundation. From sport and music to dance and education, this year’s recipients have an inspiring range of talents and ambitions.

Meet our scholarship recipients and discover their stories on our website!

We’ll be following their journeys over the next 12 months, celebrating the milestones and opportunities made possible along the way. Follow Variety Queensland on social media to see their progress!

Variety International Centennial Award

We’re incredibly proud to share that Variety Queensland has received a US$50,000 Variety International Centennial Award to help expand our Financial Literacy Program!

Designed specifically for students in Years 10-12 with cognitive and physical disabilities, our program is the only one of its kind in Australia. It equips young people with practical skills to make informed financial decisions, manage money and build greater independence.

This generous award will help us reach more students in regional, remote and geographically isolated communities, including Indigenous communities, where access to specialised programs can be limited.

It’s an exciting opportunity to build on the program’s success and bring these valuable learning experiences to more young Queenslanders.

The award is a wonderful example of Variety’s global mission in action: empowering children to live without limits!

Opportunities and Support for Variety Families

From educational support to exciting new experiences and practical help for parents and carers, there are plenty of opportunities for Variety families to explore. Here are a few things worth knowing about this month.

EduKids Grants Open 16 November

Every child deserves the tools they need to feel ready to learn and participate at school.

Through our EduKids Grant, Variety Queensland partners with Stationery Aid to provide tailored stationery packs for students experiencing financial hardship. Each pack is prepared to suit the child’s year level and school booklist, helping families access essential supplies for the school year ahead.

Applications open 16 November. Check out the guidelines and FAQs to find out more.

Give Indoor Skydiving a Go!

Have you ever wanted to experience the feeling of flying? iFLY on the Gold Coast holds monthly All Abilities sessions on the last Sunday of each month, offering people with disabilities the chance to experience indoor skydiving in a dedicated, supportive environment. Sessions cost $50.

It’s also where our new Variety Heart Scholarship recipient, 12-year-old Heath, trains! Watch Heath in action on 7News and get a glimpse of the experience for yourself.

Start 2027 feeling more confident

Parenting a child with developmental concerns, disability or neurodivergence can bring questions and challenges. The fully funded ENVISAGE program helps parents and carers of children aged 0-8 feel more confident navigating their family’s journey.

Term 4 programs are now open, and you don’t need a NDIS plan or diagnosis to participate.

Explore the program, select your state and register through the ENVISAGE website.

Building a Brighter Future
Takes All of Us

Thank you for reading this month’s Heartly News!

Next month, we’ll be launching our Christmas Appeal to help fund EduKids, giving children experiencing financial hardship access to back-to-school stationery and supplies.

We’re excited to share this colourful campaign with you, and we’ll be inviting you to help spread the word so more Queensland children can head into the new school year with the tools they need to learn, participate and thrive.

Until then, please feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who may be interested in learning more about Variety – and encourage them to subscribe.

We truly appreciate your interest and support.

Questions? marketing@varietyqld.org.au