Friends of Donvale

Our motto, our purpose, our heart is “Building Community”. 

We create opportunities for our school families to connect, 

get to know each other and build relationships so that we can 

all support each other as we grow in community.

- Friends of Donvale

Have you met our Welcome Fest Coordinators?

As the end of year approaches, its time to start thinking about Welcome Fest 2026! I'm excited to introduce you to our wonderful coordinators of this mighty community event. Join me in cheering this team on as they continue to work hard for us all over this holiday break to bring us a fantastic start to the new school year!

Meet our Welcome Fest Coordinators

Names:  Melissa Gruber & Amanda Gargett

Team: Welcome Fest

How would you describe the role of Welcome Fest Coordinators?

The whole of our FOD Committee help in various ways to pull Welcome Fest together. It is definitely a team effort but we are the points of communication to ensure that the whole event runs smoothly and nothing is forgotten.

Fun Fact: The first Welcome Fest in 2023 was organised in 3 weeks! started to organise a family BBQ and it just got bigger and bigger!

Tell us about the team's time commitment:

• Our work starts in Term 4 with advertising flyers and posters which we distribute to the new families coming into the school the following year.
• Bookings are opened and we start advertising for volunteers to help on the day. 
• By the end of the school year, we aim to have booked in the games, inflatables and food trucks.
• In the weeks leading up to Welcome Fest, much of our time is spent recruiting volunteers. We need around 100 volunteers on the day to help with cooking and serving at the BBQ, supervision, crowd control etc. Our volunteers have so much fun helping out!
• As the day gets closer our FOD team shares the load to make purchases of ice creams, drinks, balloons etc.
• On the day, before the fun starts, we manage all the preparation of treats and decorations.
• There is also lots of communication with our suppliers and the school - especially trying to get teachers to sign up for the dunk tank!

What does the team love most about this role?  Welcome Fest is all about fun! It is a lot of hard work but so much fun! It is our only event for the whole school - primary to secondary, students, staff and families. To see everyone on the day enjoying the carnival, spending time in community, having fun together and serving as helpers in various roles is what FOD is all about. It is a great start to each year ahead.

Share team goals for the remainder of 2025: Each year we review what works best and what we can change. We aim to keep the event fresh each year so our families keep coming back. 

**Get your tickets at our Early Bird price of just $25 per family by 12th December! (Usual price $30) https://www.trybooking.com/DGOFK

Meet our two General FOD Team Members, Eric & Vivian

Name: Eric Lau

Joined FOD Committee: June 2025

Role: General Member

Description of Role:

• Provide classroom learning support to the school's Chinese Language class.
• Assist in organising and participating in events for Chinese families to enhance their understanding of SchoolBox.
• Offer support to Chinese families within the school community.
• Assist with year-level activities organised by FOD.
• Collaborate with the school IT department to deliver technical assistance to the FOD team.

Day-to-Day Involvement: Fulfil assigned duties and support events organised by FOD.

Most Valued Aspects of the Role: I greatly appreciate working alongside a team of open, passionate, and enthusiastic individuals. Growing up with a diverse cultural background, I value the opportunity to serve in FOD and contribute to a supportive environment. Witnessing students thrive and develop their individual strengths in God’s hand is especially rewarding.

Goals for Remainder of 2025: To explore new interests and initiatives that engage multicultural parent groups, enabling us to strengthen their connections with both the school and the wider community.

Reason for Joining: To contribute to the DCC community, which my family, which my family is part of, and to deepen my understanding of the people, culture, and place that I call home.

Name: Vivian Lau

Joined FOD committee: December 2022

Role: General Member

Description of Role: I have been involved in many roles. 

• Helping to translate school information into Chinese for parents and organise gatherings for Chinese families to learn more about Schoolbox together. 
• Support Second-hand Uniform Shop
• Assisting with various school events such as Welcome Fest, Mother’s Day Stall, Father’s Day Stall, Hot Chocolate Day, New Parents’ Wine and Cheese Night, year-level events, and the Year 4 social event
• Attended meetings!

Day to Day involvement: I try my best to support all the events as much as I can.

What you love most about this role? I’m passionate about helping others, and seeing the happy faces of children means a lot to me. I truly appreciate everyone in the FOD team — they are all so kind, caring, and wonderful to work with.

Goal for remainder of 2025: We aim to recruit additional Chinese-speaking parents to join the FOD team, enabling us to better assist them in connecting with the school.

The reason I joined: Having been a parent and association member of DCC for many years, I greatly appreciate the community and wish to give back by contributing my time and efforts.

If you'd like any information on the Welcome Fest or FOD in general, please contact FOD_Admin@friendsofdonvale.org.au