The audience sat in awe as students from Balmain launched onto the Best Buddies stage. The music began and soon there was singing, dancing and choreographed performance. The female students then disappeared around some trees, only to return and swoop around their solo male member David, as he continued his dance moves.

And this was just the beginning of the 2012 Best Buddies Leadership Day.

Best Buddies helps students with an intellectual disability connect with others in their school, by pairing them with a buddy. Each year, their Leadership conference helps equip and empower the Best Buddies leaders from each school.

This year, Wazza, one half of the winning Waz and Polly combo of TV series "The Block," shared his life lessons with the group. Students also joined specialised workshops to sharpen their leadership skills.

Team members from Gloria Jean's Coffees were privileged to volunteer on the day and look forward to seeing how the students grow and develop. 

Your support in donating to With Heart at every Gloria Jean's Coffee house, helps build and change lives like the students in Best Buddies!