Whether you are a community group, sporting group or a school or college, you should always be looking to generate extra funds.

Running a fundraising drive can be a lot of work, and part of that work is deciding what to offer your donors in return for their funds.

Silicone Wristbands are a popular choice for fundraising, especially with young people, and here are the reasons why:

Choice Of Colour
You can order silicone wristbands in any colour you like, giving maximum flexibility with your branding. You can even order with two colours swirled together, or three colours following each other around the band. All the colour options available make it perfect for matching your business, school or cause.

Cool And Trendy
Silicone wristbands are growing in popularity, especially with young people and children, as a trendy fashion accessories. This has been especially supported by celebrities as well, which has boosted their fame and awareness.

Inexpensive Fundraising Choice
Compared to other fundraising options, silicone wristbands are very inexpensive, and can easily be sold at double or triple their purchase price, sometimes more.

Fully Customisable
In addition to colour, you can also customise the band with symbols and text. You have the option of having your message printed directly onto the band. You can also have your message embossed onto the band, or debossed into the band. If you choose to ink-fill your debossing, your message on the band will last the longest.

Small and Lightweight
Unlike other fundraising products, silicone wristbands are incredibly small and lightweight, regardless of whether you choose the Adult Size or the Child Size. This also opens up the option of posting the band to your donors as the postage costs will be very low.

Durable
The silicone rubber used to make the wristbands is very strong, waterproof and durable. This makes the wristband especially popular for Sports Teams that are fundraising.

So forget the chocolate blocks, and give silicone wristbands a try. Your message will last longer and create the best impact and impression.

ANZAC Day is a very important day for Australians who stop and remember what these servicemen did for our country. It is a time to celebrate their sacrifices and achievements, and also pay our respects.

In addition to the Returned and Services Leagues (RSLs) there are many other clubs, restaurants, hotels and bars that hold special events for ANZAC Day.

Holding a dedicated event is a wonderful way to support ANZAC Day. And here are our tips to making it a successful one:

Security and Identification
Tyvek wristbands are incredibly helpful for identifying patrons attending your ANZAC Day event. They can also be a great keepsake and reminder for the wearers.

Music
The Department of Veteran Affairs suggests hymns and songs which may be appropriate for your ceremony or event. Or you may prefer easy-listening Australian classics:

It is also a great opportunity to play the Australian National Anthem and/or Waltzing Matilda.

Poppies, Rosemary and Wreaths
Poppies are normally symbolic of remembrance day in November, but are becoming more popular on ANZAC Day as well. A sprig of rosemary is also worn on ANZAC Day as it has particular significance for Australians, because it is found growing wild on the Gallipoli peninsula.

Wreaths are a common symbol of ANZAC Day, as flowers have traditionally been laid on graves and memorials in memory of the deceased. Laurel is often woven into a wreath, it was used by the ancient Romans to crown victors and the brave as a mark of honour.

Silence
The one minute of silence is included in the Anzac Day ceremony as a sign of respect. It offers time for reflection on the significance of the day.

Fundraising and Promotion
If your event or club is fundraising there are some great ideas. Traditionally, ANZAC biscuits have been sold, and also brass pins and clips.

But now silicone wristbands are becoming a popular item for remembrance, as they can be custom made in any colour, and words can be etched into the bands to reinforce a message, for example – “Lest we Forget” or “We will remember them”.

Poem or Reading
There is some amazing prose which is ideal for ANZAC Day. Here is an example by John McCrae (May 1915) called “In Flanders Fields”:

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

 

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

 

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep,

though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Other Suggestions?

If you have any other suggestions for making a memorable ANZAC Day, please share below.

No matter what time of the year it is, you will find that living in Australia, our selection of nationwide high quality aquatic centres means you can swim all year.

And most aquatic centres tend to offer a lot more than just swimming.  You can usually find an ongoing range of programs and activities, as well as extra facilities such as Health and Fitness Clubs, Room Hire and even Cafes.

Regardless of which capital city you live in, you are bound to find a great aquatic centre nearby.  Here are the most popular centres in the capital cities, but if you know of any other good ones, please feel free to comment below:

Sydney Aquatic Centre



The Sydney Aquatic Centre is a world class facility with a huge range of attractions and facilities including a Competition Pool, Training Pool, Diving Pool, Spas, Steam and Sauna Room, Splasher's Water Playground, Water Slides, and a Rapid River Ride.

They also offer a variety of programs and activities including holiday and school programs, as well as events and birthday parties.

Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre



Since 1997, the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre has been one of the most popular centres in Melbourne, featuring a 75 metre indoor pool, diving facilities, and a 50 metre outdoor pool.

The facilities include a swimming school, a SplashOut family attraction, and over 25 classes per week of aquatic exercises.

Brisbane Aquatic Centre



The Brisbane Aquatic Centre is Queensland’s premier swimming complex offering activities throughout the year.  The facilities include a 50m Olympic Pool, a 25m Activity Pool, a Dive Pool, childcare services, a swim shop and cafe.

They also offer Group Fitness Classes including Aqua Pilates, Aqua Zumba, Water Running and Aqua Aerobics.

Hobart Aquatic Centre



The Hobart Aquatic Centre has pools, a fitness domain and a cafe open 7 days a week.  They run activities and programs for children, teenagers and adults.  They even offer child minding.

Adelaide Aquatic Centre



The Adelaide Aquatic Centre have made quite a few changes and improvements in 2012.  They offer a swimming school, group fitness classes, lap swimming lanes, crèche and a fitness centre.

Other activities include birthday parties, and a creche for child minding.

Challenge Stadium Perth



VenuesWest Challenge Stadium is a great venue for competitive and recreational lap swimming offering a 50m indoor swimming pool, indoor diving pool and indoor water polo pool.  Outdoor, they offer two more 50m pools, and another water polo pool.

The activities include swimming lessons, water aerobics and a creche.  They also offer schools and sporting associations to rent their facilities.

Darwin Aquatic Centres



Darwin has a range of aquatic centres, and doesn't really seem to have one main centre.  The 3 aquatic centres are Casuarina, Nightcliff and Parap.  All these centres offer 50m swimming pools, and the Parap centre hold water aerobics and swimming classes.

Any Others?

Feel free to share in the comments below, any other aquatic centres in Australia you highly recommend.

Lanyards have proven a popular choice for Events and Conferences, as they are perfect for identification and creating a great impression.

Choosing a lanyard can be quite tricky, as they can come in many colours, widths, have extra features like “breakaways” or special clips on the bottom. And then you need to decide exactly what you would like to hang on the lanyard – if it will be a standard plastic ID pouch or you might need some laminated IDs.

No matter what your budget is, there is a lanyard that can meet your needs.

This is a brief guide to get you started:

Budget – If you just need the simplest and most affordable lanyard, there is the 5mm black cord lanyard with a j-swivel clip. Or if you are looking for a lanyard with a bit of colour, you can opt for the 12mm bootlace which is available in 14 colours.

Mid-Range – If you are looking to make a powerful and branded impression, you would want to consider the 15mm or 20mm polyester lanyard.  These are available in 13 plain colours for immediate dispatch or can be custom branded in any colour with your event, business or sponsor name and logo.

Elite – If you have attendees you want to “WOW” then you will want either a Heat sublimated digital quality printed lanyard, or even a Custom woven lanyard. These allow for the highest level of design and branding. 

ID Wallets and Accreditation

The impact you make at your event doesn’t end with the lanyard, it ends with what’s on the lanyard – the ID. There is a huge range of plastic wallets and accessories available to even hold mobile phones or water bottles.

Lanyards can be great for promoting your event or business, or you can even get a sponsor to pay for them, and they can have their logo printed on.

If you have any extra tips for choosing lanyards for an event, please feel free to share below.

When you are running a Police Citizens Youth Club, there are an endless stream of activities and events you are organising and monitoring.

Wristbands can help identify the kids from your club, can be sold as tickets for your next event, or given out to members to promote your club name, event or message.

Here are the Top Uses for Wristbands in your PCYC:

For Identification

Tyvek wristbands are an excellent choice to identify the members of your club.  They are very economical, comfortable, durable and perfect for a single use.  They are available in a wide range of colours and can even be printed with the name of your club.

Here is a wristband we did in 2011 for PCYC QLD:

For Events

Plastic wristbands are ideal for a Special Event.  They are made from a high gloss laminate plastic and available in plain, holographic and sparkle designs.  You can also get the name of your club custom printed onto the band.

Your Special Message

Silicone wristbands are the best option if your club wants to promote itself, or provide members with a special message or quote to wear as a reminder.  They can be either custom printed, embossed or even debossed to create the full effect.