One special Mandurah youngster has opened his heart to children across the city who don’t get invited to birthday parties.
For some celebrating your birthday with a bunch of strangers might be a little bit daunting, but for Dominic Hogan it just made sense.
Dominic reigned in his eight birthday with more than 120 guests on November 11 at an “all inclusive party” he dreamt up.
After his mother Nikki heard Dominic’s idea she decided to orchestrated the occasion.
Ms Hogan was shocked by the response she received when she floated the idea on a Mandurah community Facebook page.
“I thought I’d reach out further and see how we went,” she said.
“We were taken by surprise.”
About 45 children came with their parents or carers to the party at the Greenfields Family Community Center on Murdoch Drive from 10am to 2pm.
We had a huge response. It went really, really well. Way better than what we expected,” Ms Hogan said.
Ms Hogan said people with autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), aged in their 20s, also attended the day.
She said it was really encouraging to she people of all ages and abilities mingling at the event.
“We had no idea. We originally opened the event up to people from pre-primary to year six,” she said.
“It was amazing.”
She said some of the older guests, with disabilities, had gone throughout their entire schooling without being invited to a party.
Ms Hogan said Dominic had a great time meeting new people, although said he was very overwhelmed by the attention he received when cutting the cake.
Children also enjoyed two bouncy castles, an arts and craft table, food, drinks and mascots at the event.
Ms Hogan was proud to host the event and said it was a great example of the community coming together.
She thanked the businesses and organisations that donated, volunteered or offered support in another way to the event.
Children were able to grab all you can eat ice-cream from PJ'S Cold Ice Delights, St George Bank cooked and supplied 100 sausages and buns, Kingdomcity church provided soups, ACE Early Learning Centre provided pinatas, Port Bouvard Charters provided eskis and ice, and Mandurah Mermaids offered discounts on their face-painting and balloon crafting services.
Ms Hogan also thanked to Wedding Cake Boutique for making children’s cakes and Woolworths for supply a cake for the adults attending.
Ms Hogan said Woolworths managers Brian and Trish also allowed her to spend $300 on whatever she needed for the party in their store.
One women even travelled from Perth on the train to deliver 320 sandwiches for attendees.
She made special mention to her friend Robyn Marshall who helped her arrange the day and parents who chipped in wherever they were needed.
“Everyone was happy to help,” she said.
Ms Hogan said she would like to host a similar event next year.
