05/11/2022
"Don't be in the business of playing it safe. Be in the business of creating possibilities for greatness."
- Bob Iger, Former CEO of Disney
🙏🏽 Thank you Post 🙏🏽
After sitting down for the first time today since Never Say Neverland officially showcased its first appearance two weeks ago, I wanted to take the time to officially thank some important people. These are people who believed in me and offered unwavering support across the two year rollercoaster to get this vision on the map.
Starting off, knocking this together took some persistence and tenacity mixed with a lot of soul searching. After two venue changes, postponed festival dates, changed ticketing companies, registering a not-for-profit with DGR status, developing partnerships, declined grants, studying an MBA, taking on a position on an Executive Committee, and learning a whole new industry on the fly. Making ends meet felt like trying to build a rocket to get to the moon.
Taking the ‘Never Say Never’ approach we got there after two years up against all odds…and seeing 3000+ people have the time of their life on our special day that was blessed with sunshine, was a truly remarkable experience.
Without a doubt there will be people who I miss out on thanking here and I apologise in advance. Here listed are people who contributed to keeping my spark alive ⚡️
Dad - when I had nowhere to turn you were there supporting my vision wholeheartedly (even if you couldn’t see it at the time)
Wortho - the amount of hours on the phone and your unwavering dedication to support my crazy ideas.
Mel & MCO Events team - when you did not hesitate to help me from get-go and rode all the bumps as we went along the journey
Partners - Worthy Parts, Mader Group, ABBA Engineering, Emeco Group, CVW Creative, SRW GROUP PTY. LTD., Bomitali Constructions, Winekind - Online Wine Store, RC Construction, Drage Boilermaking, HIGHGRADE PERSONNEL PTY LTD and Cherished Cherubs Babysitting. Without your financial support this venture would have never been able to take place. For that support I am extremely grateful.
Contractors and Performances - to everyone who brought the day together, from face painting to picking up rubbish, I am very thankful for the effort at every level not just the big acts and bubbles. You took the time to understand the vision and willingly supported making it all come together.
MCS Security - Tamara and the team - sensational support on the day
Event Cinemas/ iPlay Whitfords - Bec, Brad and Esther you are superstars.
Oztix - Seth Clancy and the team at Oztix you were incredible.
Ross Wallman - bringing the energy envisioned from the start to finish. Incredible
City of Perth - thank you for accomodating us to secure Wellington Square and the kind message from Sharleen Duffy following up this week.
A few special mentions - Every volunteer on the big day - you were lifesavers, Perth Children's Hospital Foundation, Julian and the team from Happiness Co Foundation, Kate MacKinnon- you know why, Andy Watson Blu Builders - for being a full time legend, Declan O’Connor, Shane Ellis, Matt Rowlands, Kennards Hire - for your help packing up the event when there was no one else around.
Julie from Artin Toys - Kids Ride on Car / Motorbikes for your generous donating the Lambo towards this event. Tash and The 3PG - for helping with the Launch Party.
Tif, Mim & the whole team at The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation and their support from the other side of Australia.
To my amazing Mum for her support since day one, my family (uncle Steve and Aunty Di especially) and close inner circle of people - you know who you are and know how much I love you. All the messages I never reply to, you know its not intentional, I have been operating on hyper loop kind of speed. Catch you all soon.
Finally, everyone who shared a post, every shop that put up a poster, every person that told someone about it - every little bit counted and made the day the success that it was.
Yes there are many areas for improvement and the personal lessons were unrelenting and humbling. This event exposed every inch of what I am made of. Time to fine tune and develop Never Say Neverland. Then we reset the date for Perth and extend to bring some of the magic to the City of Melbourne. 2023 we are coming for you.
Never gave in..
Never gave up..
Never Say Neverland 💎