Entries are now open to join Australia’s biggest stair challenge! Climb 1700 steps to the top of the iconic Australia 108 tower and help raise funds for Giant Steps Melbourne.

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to climb the nation’s tallest building. Sign up today and we’ll see you at the top! ARE YOU IN?

SUNDAY 7 MAY – REGISTER HERE

Harvey started at Giant Steps in the Early Learning Program at just three and a half. Being so young, we didn’t know if Harvey would last an entire day, let alone a full week, but our smiley, blue-eyed, blonde-haired little man settled in well to a full-time program.

Harvey is now almost 11 and in his eighth year at Giant Steps. He has a grin that greets everyone as he walks through the school gate. Each morning, Harvey knows he’s going to have a great day at school. A school that understands his needs, understands his abilities, and most importantly understands that everyone like Harvey deserves an education.

Harvey is nonverbal, has sensory processing difficulties and is highly sensitive to noise. Giant Steps have taught Harvey not only how to communicate with his peers at school and with his family at home, but they have given him the confidence to communicate effectively so that he avoids a meltdown. Giant Steps have given Harvey the confidence to participate in classroom activities, so rather than throw a pen across the room as he didn’t know what to do with it, he now uses it functionally to make a picture on paper. Giant Steps understands Harvey’s sensory needs and provide tools in the classroom and at home to be able to keep him regulated and calm to carry out day to day living. Harvey has great admiration and respect for all the staff at Giant Steps, it’s his safe place where no one judges or questions him for the sounds he makes, the behaviour he displays or the emotion he shows. Instead, his smile from ear to ear is his appreciation and love for the school.

Louise and Murray Donaldson

Ajax started Foundation (Prep) in 2017 in a mainstream public school, but we always knew that at some point in the future we would have to make the decision to move him to a specialist school. He did a fantastic job of keeping up with his peers for some years, but by Grade 4 he was starting to fall behind. Home schooling during Covid really opened our eyes to how difficult things were and how ill equipped the school was to help kids like Ajax. As his sister, Iliana, was leaving to start high school, we thought it would be a good time for Ajax to change schools. So began the search for a specialist school that could provide support for Ajax to learn and flourish. After visiting a few schools, we realized there were very limited options. There are only a handful of specialist schools in Melbourne and none of them seemed to be the right fit. Then we found Giant Steps.

After meeting with Davina and seeing the school and staff at work, we could feel that this school was the place for Ajax. The teachers, support staff, therapists and everyone involved have a true passion for working with kids with special needs and their love and care really shows. We could not speak more highly of the team; they truly go above and beyond. In the year and a bit that Ajax has been a part of Giant Steps Melbourne, he has really flourished, and we sometimes say to ourselves, ‘if only we had done this sooner.’ But hindsight is twenty/twenty.

As I look to the future, I know that Ajax is in the best place with the right support to succeed.

Emilios Mourikis

Volunteers from Aesop have been dropping by to assist with the maintenance of our Greenhouse Project. The team have been helping with a range of gardening tasks to complement the work being done by our students and adult participants.
We are also pleased to partner with Aesop as part of our Vocational Education Program, providing opportunities for our adult participants to engage in meaningful work tasks in the community.

It has been a wonderful start to the year with so many gathering to support fundraising across Sydney and Melbourne. From raucous Drag Bingo to mind-bending Trivia, delicious Chinese New Year celebrations, an impressive Art Auction and superb Golf Day, our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made these events a great success.

20th Annual Golf Day – Sydney

Held on Thursday 30 March 2023, Bonnie Doon Golf Club

Platinum Sponsor: Australian Stockbrokers Foundation

Australia 108 Stair Challenge – Melbourne

Coming up on Sunday 7 May 2023, Southbank

Silver Sponsor: Maddocks

Enjoy a fabulous night at our annual Sydney Black Tie Ball, hosted by Comedian, Sam McCool.
Tickets are on sale now! 

Lock in Saturday 17 June for an enchanted evening to remember as we celebrate 28 years of supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum and their families.

Click here to view our sponsorship packages.

Giant Steps Australia is a registered charity and donations are tax deductible.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT