The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is the longest running floral event of its kind in Australia, and earlier this year, Youturn participated in our first ever Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Grand Central Parade!
We were extremely proud to do so with a float designed and built by our community of workers, partners and supporters.
The theme for the parade was REFLECT, CONNECT and SPARKLE.
REFLECT: Youturn has a long, rich history of over 30 years! We are proud to be part of the Toowoomba community, supporting young and vulnerable people here since 2012.
CONNECT: Not only has this been a wonderful team building exercise for our staff, bringing together our workers from across South-East Queensland, but it has also presented a great opportunity to interact with some of our clients and young people in our programs who all wanted to lend a hand!
SPARKLE: Our float is full of colour, shimmer and sparkle, reflecting the energy and positive futures that we wish for our young people. Despite rainy days, you can always find a rainbow, or clouds with a silver lining.
Our team embraced this theme and built a float filled with symbolism. Our vibrant brand colours helped to tell our message of “Supporting Brighter Futures”.
Following hours of hard work and preparation, planning, painting umbrellas and making paper flowers, our float finally sailed down the spectator lined streets of Toowoomba. With sunny skies and sunny smiles, we waved at the crowds and enjoyed the warm hospitality of Toowoomba and the local community.
We were grateful to be joined by Isaac and Maddy.
Maddy is an amazing young woman who transitioned into independent living from our Gateway House accommodation. Now a nanny, Maddy shared her story of her journey through homelessness to the two children she was now caring for, including young Isaac. Isaac has a history of fundraising for causes he is passionate about, and decded to fundraise for Youturn’s Gateway House, selling delicious homemade goods and collecting donations of non-perishable food items and hygiene products. Both incredible and inspiring young people – we were so fortunate to have these legends walk alongside our Youturn tea,m through the streets of Toowoomba.
With over 36 floats, 96 groups and 2000 walkers it certainly was one for the books.
The days certainly have flown by since the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, but the experience certainly has not been forgotten. Our Youturn team have been giving new life, and a new home, to all the beautiful flowers that created our float for the Grand Central Floral Parade.
Our flowers have now found new homes at our crisis accommodation properties, and with some of our incredible supporters who helped make the Youturn float come together.
We are so grateful to the organisations and businesses who supported our entry, and made it all possible:
Toowoomba Regional Council
Grand Central Shopping Centre
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
ALE Group
Bunnings Warehouse Australia
Toowoomba West Men’s Shed Inc.
Manawee Garden Centre & Gift Shop
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