2025? Completed it
- Gig Buddies Sydney
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
As we approach the end of another year, we’re taking stock and reflecting on what we achieved in 2025.
From a numbers perspective, 2025 was a record breaking year!
Across Sydney, the western regions, south Sydney and the Central Coast we paired up 84 buddies - a rise on the 79 from the previous year.
Since our beginnings back in 2015, we have now paired up a whopping 716 buddies!
Records tumble
Our matches aside, we’re also all about providing participants with the opportunity to get out the house, go to different places and try new things. As such, in 2025 we facilitated 104 Gig Buddies social gatherings - a record number for the project, and nine more than 2024.
In 2025 we facilitated catch ups across Sydney, the west and greater western regions, south Sydney and the Central Coast. During the year we connected with over 1,500 attendees - another record!
Prepped and ready to go
And none of this would be possible without our amazing volunteers.
On that note, in 2025 we facilitated 25 online training sessions - prepping a total of 77 new volunteers.
Are you looking to volunteer?
We need volunteers! Click on the image above for current Sydney roles and the graphic below for opportunities on the Central Coast.
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact us via Facebook or email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
Perfect 10
Last week we revealed our February frolics.
As a reminder, we’ll be bidding farewell to summer with ten socials, connecting with buddies in Moore Park, Cronulla, Collaroy, Chester Hill, Hornsby, Penrith, the CBD, Warnervale and Summer Hill.
We’ve the following going on in February:
To join us for French markets, movies, dinners, arcade games, Super Bowl LX, crazy shakes, an over 35s catch up and an LGBTQIA+ gathering, load up the links above.
Join us in January
And we’re kickstarting 2026 with a total of NINE socials - one of which is now sold out.
We’re inviting buddies to join us in Gosford, Centennial Park, Forestville, Rouse Hill, Pymble, Five Dock, Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park as we catch up for pub trivia, dinners, drag bingo, the movies, board games and basketball.
If you have questions about any of our forthcoming events, get in touch: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0411 252 228.
🎟️ Roll up, roll up 🎟️
And on the subject of socials, we’ve got 40 free tickets to giveaway to FOUR top Sydney Festival shows.
We can’t wait to share the details. To be in with a chance, be sure to check our social media channels bright and early on Monday 5 January.
Are you in the market for Gig Buddies’ merchandise? Our new and exclusive range of swag has landed!
Click on the image above to get your fill on Gig Buddies goodies. If we haven’t got the size you’re after, get in touch via Facebook Messenger.
The final three
That’s it! We’ve matched up our final batch of buddies for 2025.
Welcome to the party, Silvia and Sophie (left, L - R), Jack and Connor (right, L - R) and Audrey and Anthea (not pictured).
For the final time this year, it’s wonderful to have you all on board.
That's a wrap
And we’ve prepped another group of willing and ready to go volunteers.
For attending our final training session of the year, we want to thank Lama (top left), Anshul (top right), Reinilda (bottom left), Aili (bottom right) and Katie (not pictured).
Start spreading the news
It’s always a pleasure when we get good news sent direct to our inbox.
That’s exactly what happened with Julia (below), recent recipient of the McVilly-Pearce Pin.
The award is given to every rower who has represented Australia at Senior level at either a Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, World Rowing Championships, World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals, Commonwealth Games, or FISA Senior Championships.
Congratulations Julie on being number 649.
In 2026 we would love to showcase more success stories. Therefore, we’re asking buddies to keep the good news rolling and email in their wins for us to share: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
School's out for summer
This is us informing you that we’ll be offline from 5pm this Thursday (18/12).
Our lines of communication, along with Gig Buddies HQ, will reopen from 9am on Monday 5 January.
Out of office
And that’s it in terms of the Gig Buddies’ newsletter for 2025.
Thank you to everyone who’s read, shared or contributed to our weekly bulletin, or has connected with us via our Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter accounts’ over the past 12 months.
Our newsletter will return on Monday 12 January 2026.
Help at hand
We appreciated that Christmas may be a tough time for some. Therefore, we’ve published a list of contact details for anyone struggling.
Lifeline Australia: Anyone in Australia can speak to a trained crisis supporter over the phone at any time. Lifeline's 13 11 14 crisis support service is available 24/7.
Beyond Blue is an Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation. Beyond Blue Support Service is available 24/7 for brief counselling, 1300 22 4636
Headspace: Support for 12-25 year olds, both online and via the phone.
Healthdirect: Government-backed service with mental health info and helpline, 1800 022 222
✨ One last thing ✨
And finally, we want take this moment to say “Merry Christmas”, “Happy New Year” and a huge “THANK YOU” to everyone who’s connected, supported or engaged with us in 2025.
It’s been another wonderful year and our Gig Buddies’ community continues to go from strength to strength - both north and south of the Hawkesbury River.
From Aylin, Bec, Carol, Charlotte, Chelsea, Lara, Tony and myself, we look forward to doing it all again in 2026.
Matthew: Central Coast coordinator (0402 708 814)
Carol: CEO (02 9419 6951)
Chelsea: NDIS coordinator (0412 145 819)
Tony: Funding and sponsorship coordinator (02 9419 6951)
Bec: Project officer, Sydney (0411 252 228)
Aylin: Western Sydney coordinator (0466 389 961)
Lara: Greater Western Sydney coordinator (0478 045 121) Charlotte: Northern Beaches coordinator (0403 184 404)
Would you like more information about Gig BuddiesSydney? You’re only a click away. Connect with us via the links below.
Fancy revelling in legendary status? If so, please support us in our cause to get more people out to live events in Sydney.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible and all are gratefully received.
The Gig Buddies Sydney project is an initiative of ACL Disability Services.
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