The Carnival of Joy is a state-wide community event celebrating community togetherness with a parade of giant Aussie iconic animal sculptures. The parade travels from Brisbane to Cairns and back visiting towns and spreading a message of joy and unity to communities along the way. The Carnival has now reached Townsville in North Queensland and after participating in Cultural Fest on 14-15 August, the giant animals will head off on their return trip.
The Carnival of Joy is a progression from the popularity of Dr Farvardin Daliri OAM’s Giant Laughing Kookaburra. In 2020, after a difficult period of social isolation and distancing, thanks to the pandemic, Dr Daliri took the giant laughing kookaburra, (which he sculptured during lockdown), on the road to bring communities back together and put a smile back on everyone’s faces. The response was overwhelming and attracted international media attention. The benefits to those communities lucky enough to receive a visit were obvious and the demand for future visits was so great, the Carnival of Joy was born.
Dr Daliri has added to his very spectacular giant laughing kookaburra with a giant koala and more recently, the leader of the parade, the giant talking cockatoo! Our family of Aussie icons has been travelling through Queensland since 8 July 2021, with the goal of visiting as many regional and remote communities between Brisbane and Cairns as we can, bringing people together and sharing messages of joy and gratitude. The parade’s arrival in Townsville coincides with the Cultural Fest on 14-15 August 2021, where the Carnival of Joy will help the region celebrate diversity and Australia.
We need your help to bring the Carnival to your community!
Community attendance at the Carnival of Joy is free for the public, however, the logistics of transporting three giant sculptures around Queensland is costly. The Carnival of Joy is a not-for-profit organisation that relies on community contributions. The parade can only happen with the financial support of our communities and community leaders. The Carnival of Joy would love to bring this unique experience to your community, but to do so, we need your help. Everyone can help bring the parade to your town by sharing the cost of the Carnival of Joy right here on Start Some Good.
By sharing the transport costs, the Carnival of Joy can visit your school, workplace, venue or community for a fraction of what it would normally cost.
Who will the Carnival of Joy visit?
We will visit major cities and regional communities along the official route (provided below) who can share the cost of a visit. The cost sharing could come from local representatives, businesses, community groups, schools, health providers, or any individuals who would like to bring some joy and festivity to their community. The length of the visit depends on the level of contribution. See the table below to see what your pledge will get you.
Larger agencies, local councils, neighbourhood centres, and businesses can have the Carnival of Joy attend their premises and Dr Farvardin Daliri OAM can facilitate mindfulness sessions throughout the day. We can go where you want for the day! Perhaps you want us to tour the aged care facilities or schools in your neighbourhood?
Are you part of a community group? Maybe you own a local business? You can share the cost and ensure a visit to your location and have the giant talking cockatoo, giant laughing kookaburra and their friend the giant koala, to stop, greet the community, have photos and enjoy the opportunity for your community to connect with one another. They’re great for attracting customers and tourists! ;)
Do you have a family member living in the local aged care or a student at the local school? Would a visit from our giant Aussie icons provide some excitement? You can rally some other families to make contributions and secure your own visit.
Why not spread the word throughout your community and encourage cost-sharing?
Maybe you simply recognise that it is a fabulous and very worthwhile initiative and want to support the cause.
Official route*
Stage 1:
8 July to 8 August 2021 - South East Queensland to North Queensland - COMPLETE
Stage 2:
- 14 - 15 August 2021 - Cultural Fest, Townsville
- 22 August 2021 - Cardwell
- 23 August 2021 - Cairns
- 26 - 27 August 2021 - Townsville
- 7 - 8 September 2021 - Emerald and Gyndie
- 10 - 11 September 2021 - Miles
- 18 September 2021 - Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Grand Central Floral Parade
- 19 September 2021 - Toowoomba
- 20 September 2021 – Brisbane
*Subject to change.
Before making a pledge, please contact Farvardin Daliri on 0414 356 875.
What will you get for your pledge?
Pledge | What you will get |
$50 | An official photograph of the Carnival of Joy three giant sculptures, signed by the artist Dr Farvardin Daliri OAM. |
$100 | A signed book, “I Think I should Not Think” written by Dr Farvardin Daliri OAM. |
$250 | A fly-by (for your business, your coffee shop, your school or your premises) from the Carnival of Joy. Your location will get mentioned on our social media! As long as you are along the official route, detailed on www.carnivalofjoy.com.au |
$350 | A visit for 10 minutes from the Carnival of Joy (for your business, your office, your shop or your premises). Your location will get mentioned on our social media! As long as you are along the official route, detailed on www.carnivalofjoy.com.au |
$500 | A visit for 30 minutes from the Carnival of Joy (for your business, your office, your shop or your premises). Your location will get mentioned on our social media! As long as you are along the official route, detailed on www.carnivalofjoy.com.au |
$550 | A visit for 45 minutes from the Carnival of Joy (for your business, your office, your shop or your premises). Your location will get mentioned on our social media! As long as you are along the official route, detailed on www.carnivalofjoy.com.au. In addition, you will have an individual post on social media promoting your business, school or venue. |
$650 | A visit for 1 hour from the Carnival of Joy (for your business, your office, your shop or your premises). Your location will get mentioned on our social media! As long as you are along the official route, detailed on www.carnivalofjoy.com.au. In addition, you will have an individual post on social media promoting your business, school or venue. |
$750 | A visit for 2 hours from the Carnival of Joy (for your business, your office, your shop or your premises). Your location will get mentioned on our social media! As long as you are along the official route, detailed on www.carnivalofjoy.com.au. In addition, you will have an individual post on social media promoting your business, school or venue. |
$1500 | A visit for half a day from the Carnival of Joy (for your business, your office, your shop or your premises). Your location will get mentioned on our social media! As long as you are along the official route, detailed on www.carnivalofjoy.com.au. In addition, you will have an individual post on social media promoting your business, school or venue. |
$2500 | A visit for 1 day from the Carnival of Joy (for your business, your office, your shop or your premises). Your location will get mentioned on our social media! As long as you are along the official route, detailed on www.carnivalofjoy.com.au. In addition, you will have an individual post on social media promoting your business, school or venue. |
When you make your pledge, please email your details to [email protected] to arrange details about your stop. Our friendly team are ready to help you make the most out of this exciting experience for your community!
Please note, that our official route is published on www.carnivalofjoy.com.au Our visits are available along this route. Please contact event organiser Farvardin Daliri on 0414 356 875 if you would like the Carnival to visit you.
The Team
Carnival of Joy Organiser - Dr Farvardin Daliri OAM
“With the isolating changes covid has brought to our lives, it is important it is to celebrate the positivity of community, diversity and hope. What better way to celebrate this, than with a giant talking cockatoo that will say hello in many different languages? The giant koala and giant kookaburra captivated the community, gaining international media attention. We are hoping the giant talking cockatoo will be as big a hit.”
Carnival of Joy Ambassador - Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM
“I'm pleased to accept the position of Ambassador for the Carnival of Joy. It's important that we celebrate community, diversity and hope in covid-safe ways and the Carnival of Joy will do just that. I'm excited to be part of this community event and I encourage community and business leaders to support the Carnival of Joy by joining with me as a sponsor of the parade.”
What have we done?
The Carnival of Joy has been on the road since 8 July 2021 and has so far visited 33 towns. The Carnival will participate in Cultural Fest in Townsville on 14-15 August 2021. After Cultural Fest, the Carnival heads to Cairns and then starts the long return trip to Brisbane, this time visiting remote western communities and revisiting some coastal communities.
If you would like to book a visit by the Carnival of Joy, please contact Dr Farvardin Daliri on 0414 356 875.
