Big Day Out 4 – 2025

BDO4 is way more than just “the last event of the year”… It’s the final chapter for our graduating teens, many of whom have been with us for four whole years. And when you’ve been hanging out with the LYF fam for up to four years, that goodbye hits different.

Saying goodbye wasn’t any small affair… it was a wave of memories, inside jokes, and full-circle moments rolling in all at once.

There were happy tears, big cheers, and the kind of heartfelt moments you only get when you’ve grown up together.

You could feel the pride in the air. You could feel the love. And you could definitely feel how ready they are for what’s next.

Morning activities full of creativity, connection and fun!

With our graduating LYF Alumni planning the rotations for the day, they were also on hand to help run them!

Over the morning we enjoyed:

Tie-dye with J & V – a pop of colour and a whole lot of freedom of expression on fabric.
Sea salt scrubs with K & S – We created our own spa-style scrubs, choosing scents that matched our personalities (smells amazing, by the way).
Octopus Tag with K – a wild, ocean take on tag that had everyone laughing and running around.
Message in a Bottle Journals with T – a chilled, reflective activity where teens decorated journals and thought about hopes, dreams, and maybe even secret messages to their future self.

There was some serious creativity, teamwork and a few laughs over tie-dye mishaps!

Graduation and Goodbyes!

Our youth committee gave their final speeches for 2025, before getting to have their “graduation moment” – receiving there certificates, custom grad books all about their time in LYF over the years and even a heap of LYF shirts being signed!

It’s not goodbye forever, just goodbye for now! Our LYF teens are officially LYF Alumni – and get to join a network of many others who have gone through the LYF program, with a whole world of Alumni options and catch ups as part of the LYF family now open to them!

Free Time & Splash Zones!

After lunch it was time to enjoy Outback Splash!

Teens and mentors explored the park, went on slides, ran around, chilled in the shade, ate ice cream and just hung out.

Some stayed all afternoon; others dipped in and out, either way, the smiles kept coming.

Why BIG4 Was So Special!

Big venue = big vibe. With a huge space to roam, splash and chill, Outback Splash gave everyone room to breathe, explore, and enjoy at their own pace.
Mix of calm & chaos. From chill journalling and sea-salt scrubs to tie-dye messes and wild octopus tag, there was something for every mood and energy level.
Real connection. Whether in mentor pairs chatting over burgers, teens laughing mid-splash, or pairs quietly decorating journals, BDO4 was full of the kind of conversations and memories we hope every LYF event sparks.
Volunteers = Legends. None of this would happen without the dedication of our mentors, helpers, coordinators, and youth-events crew. Massive thanks to each and everyone of you who make these days possible.

Want to Make a Difference in 2026? We’re Calling for Volunteers in Perth.

If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to volunteer in Perth, youth mentoring with Leading Youth Forward is one of the most powerful ways to give back.
Every year, our volunteer mentors walk alongside Perth teens who need support, encouragement, and a steady adult in their corner, and the impact is HUGE.

BDO4 reminded us just how life-changing those connections are. Watching our long-term teens graduate after up to four years in the program was a massive full-circle moment, and it’s all possible because volunteers show up consistently, with heart and with genuine care.

We’re now recruiting volunteer mentors for 2026, and we need incredible humans who are ready to step in and make a real difference in a teen’s life.

You don’t need special skills — just kindness, commitment, and the willingness to show up a couple times a year and be part of something bigger.

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to help, but I don’t know where to start…”

Start here. Start now.

Apply Now to Mentor in 2026!

Because sometimes, the biggest impact starts with something as simple as showing up and sharing a day at the zoo.
Head to lyf.org.au/volunteers to find out more and apply now!