February 2026

Welcome to Heartly News – our all-new Variety Queensland newsletter, brought to life with the help of our mascot, Heartly.

This is your place for stories that show the real impact of your support – moments of hope in action that help children thrive, belong and reach their full potential, regardless of disability or circumstance.

Along the way, we’ll also share ways you can get involved, including upcoming events like this year’s Magic Round Long Lunch. But first, let’s dive into a story made possible by you!

Opening the Outdoors for Victor

For 11-year-old Victor, time outdoors isn’t just about fun – it’s where his family recharges and finds calm. Victor loves the beach, camping and exploring nature, but accessing these spaces became increasingly difficult as he grew.

He’s back at the beach, spending hours on the sand, and confidently exploring alongside his family, support workers and friends. “It’s made our beach outings so much happier… He actually asks for the beach now,” said his mum, Divina. The chair has restored freedom, inclusion and a sense of possibility – allowing Victor to reconnect with the outdoors and simply be a kid again. As Divina shared:

“No destination is really out of bounds anymore.”

That’s what Variety is all about! Read the full story on our website:

Where Coming Together Creates Magic for Kids

It’s official – the Variety Magic Round Long Lunch is back!

We’re excited to announce our 3rd annual Variety Magic Round Long Lunch, taking place on Wednesday 13 May at Victoria Park.

🎟️ Early bird tickets are available now – but won’t last long.

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of great food, great company and plenty of footy banter – all while supporting Queensland children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with disabilities to live without limits.

We’ll be joined by Triple M host Liam Flanagan, NRL legend Billy Moore, Brisbane Broncos NRLW champion Ali Brigginshaw, other icons of the game, and a very special Variety family and Variety-supported school, whose story will remind us why this day matters.

Your ticket includes canapés on arrival, a two-course lunch, a four-hour house beverage package, plus a live auction and raffles featuring incredible prizes.

This is where the spirit of Magic Round meets the heart of Variety – celebrating footy, having fun, and making a real difference in one powerful afternoon.

Secure your early bird tickets now. We’d love to see you there!

The Impact We’re Creating Together

We believe it’s important to share a snapshot of the impact you make each month. Alongside the grants shown above, your support helped deliver 135 stationery packs through our EduKids program, valued at $10,800 – reaching 65 schools across Queensland and helping children start the school year ready to learn.

With the generous support of Q.I.T.E., we were also proud to extend this support to the young people at NRL Cowboys House in Townsville, helping ensure Indigenous students from some of Australia’s most remote communities have the tools they need for the year ahead.

What’s on the Calendar?

Variety is a big family of fundraisers, and there’s always a way to get involved. Explore our supporter events taking place right across Queensland or check out some of our key 2026 events below to see where you too can make a difference.

Building a Brighter Future
Takes All of Us

Thank you for reading our first Heartly newsletter! We so appreciate your interest and support. Please feel free to forward this on to anyone who may be interested in learning more about Variety and encourage them to subscribe.

Questions? marketing@varietyqld.org.au