Community Partner: Inside the Good Friday Appeal’s Kids Day Out

If you haven’t guessed already, we’re talking about the Good Friday Appeal’s Kids Day Out at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). 

It’s part of a bigger story we’re proud to tell. Through this series, we get to know the community partners we work with at MCEC — the ones turning big ideas into real impact. Some, like the Good Friday Appeal, return year after year, filling our spaces with purpose and joy. And the impact? It stretches well beyond our walls and out into the city. 

A City That Shows Up 

Arriving onsite as the doors open is something else. Families, prams, backpacks, kids in bunny ears pour in from every direction. Some head straight for the rides, others beeline for the fire trucks or food stalls.  

Within minutes, our place comes alive. 

If you’ve never been, Kids Day Out feels like Melbourne at its best. It’s colourful, generous, a little chaotic and completely heart-led. 

We’ve hosted the event for over a decade now, and it’s always been one of those days that reminds us why we do what we do. Because while it looks like a carnival on the surface, underneath it all is purpose.   

Every ride, every smile, every dance move helps raise vital funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne through the Good Friday Appeal. 

There’s something so Melbourne about this event.  

Ask anyone what makes this city special, and they’ll usually say food, coffee, and community. And on this day, all three show up — but it’s community that leads. 

And it’s all for the kids. 

Everything is designed with them in mind from sensory-friendly zones to superhero appearances, the teddy bear hospital to quiet spaces for carers. It’s a day that doesn’t just include families but truly considers them. 

From the little moments, kids high-fiving volunteers or dragging their siblings to the next ride, to the big picture impact of what these donations support, Kids Day Out is about showing up, giving back and having a blast while you do it. 

In Conversation 

This year, we wanted to get closer to the experience. To walk through it, speak to people, and soak it all in.  

That’s how we found ourselves chatting with two of the Good Friday Appeal’s much-loved ambassadors: Kishwar Chowdhury and Chantel Mila. 

They were there with their families, too, joining the crowds, lining up for the sporting zone, dodging confetti and sharing in the joy. Between all the fun, we spoke about what the day means and how powerful it is to see this kind of community spirit in action. 

“You walk in, and there’s this instant energy,” Chantel said. “You can feel how excited the kids are and knowing that it’s all helping other families – that’s really special.” 

“It’s joy with purpose,” Kishwar added. “Everyone’s here for a good time, but there’s this shared understanding that we’re all helping build something bigger than ourselves.” 

You might know Kishwar from MasterChef Australia, where she captured hearts with her bold Bangladeshi flavours and deeply personal food stories. Today, she brings that same passion to her content; encouraging others to embrace their heritage through cooking and storytelling. 

And Chantel? You probably know her better as Mama Mila. With over 4 million followers, she’s made a name for herself sharing clever home hacks, styling tips and simple ways to bring more calm and creativity into family life. 

All the Little Moments 

For Kishwar, the Kids Day Out mission hits close to home. Her family once relied on the hospital’s care for her son. “The Royal Children’s Hospital got us through a really dark time,” she shared. “To be part of the Good Friday Appeal now feels like everything coming full circle. I never imagined I’d one day be helping raise money for the same place that helped my child.” 

Every dollar raised goes directly to the Royal Children’s Hospital helping fund life-saving equipment, vital research and the kind of care that supports families through their toughest times. 

Later in the day, we head to the telethon area, it’s still buzzing, but the energy feels more focused. Volunteers work the phones. Big screens track donations. Each milestone is celebrated with cheers and clapping. It’s all hands-on deck, and you can feel the impact building in real-time. 

“I’ve always watched the Good Friday Appeal telethon on TV,” Kishwar said. “It’s surreal being behind the scenes now and seeing how it all comes together.” 

“I still remember being a kid in the ’90s, watching the Good Friday Appeal on TV,” Chantel added. “It was such a tradition in our house. I’d sit in front of the screen, waiting for our family’s name to scroll across the bottom. Being here now with my own kids makes it feel even more meaningful.” 

That’s the spirit at the heart of the Good Friday Appeal. When a community truly shows up, it can change lives. Neighbours, strangers, businesses, and kids with pocket money all giving what they can, all playing a part. 

“As an ambassador, my favourite part is seeing that community spirit in action,” Chantel said. “Watching everyone come together for such an incredible cause is really powerful.” 

Both Kishwar and Chantel brought their children along this year, hoping to pass that spirit on. 

“They might not fully understand it yet,” Kishwar said. “But one day, they’ll know that days like this really do help make a difference.” 

“We want them to see that giving back can look like fun,” Chantel added. “It’s about showing them that even a day at the carnival can help someone else.” 

What Stays With You 

By mid-afternoon, the venue is still humming. Kids parade around with plush toys and adopted teddy bears. Parents balance overflowing showbags and hot cross buns. The sun is starting to dip outside, but inside, it’s still bright, lit by that unmistakable feeling that something good is happening here. 

The Good Friday Appeal’s Kids Day Out is a reminder that making a difference doesn’t always look serious — and it’s a day that stays with you, long after the glitter’s washed off. 

Want to learn more about our partnership with the Good Friday Appeal?  

Discover our history together and the impact we’ve made .

A big day, an even bigger outcome!

Find out how much was raised .

Curious about who else we work with?  

Explore our community partnerships and the difference we’re making .