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March, 2015
Early Links is based at Hartnett House, creating child friendly communities. If you have any ideas or queries about the program please contact Gabi. If you have additions for future editions of the newsletter please contact Kirsty. Email us at: [email protected]
Parent-Child Mother Goose Program:
We are sad to announce that we no longer have funding to continue our Parent-Child Mother Goose
programs at Hartnett House in Brunswick and at Belle Vue Park Primary School in Glenroy. Thank you to
all the wonderful mums, dads, grandpas, grandmas, aunts, uncles, friends and workers who have joined
us in the circle over many years. And of course, a huge thanks to the amazing babies and children who
have come along week after week and sat in our laps, clapped, danced and sung along. We have loved
sharing songs, rhymes, stories, laughs and tickles with you all.
The good news is that we will be running groups in Fawkner in the near future—and everyone will be
welcome to join us in our new home. Stay tuned for the announcement on where and when we will be
starting.
We have also been working on a book of songs, rhymes and stories which we will launching at a special
Parent-Child Mother Goose at Hartnett House celebration in April. We’ll be inviting everyone to join us for
one last time in the circle here.
Gabi and Kirsty
Regular Local Story and Rhyme Time Sessions:
Darebin Libraries:
Moreland Libraries:
Weekly Storytime Sessions
Brunswick - Thursday- 10.30am
Coburg - Friday - 10.30am
Campbell Turnbull - Wednesday - 11.30am
Fawkner- Wednesday - 11.30am
Glenroy - Monday - 10.30am
Rhyme Time Sessions
Brunswick - Fri 10.30am or 11.30am
Coburg - Thu 10.30 & 11.30am
Fawkner - Tue 11.30am
Glenroy - Wed 11.30am
Bilingual Storytimes
Italian - Coburg - Tue 7th, 10.30am
Greek - Coburg - Mon 30th, 5.30pm
Weekly Storytime Sessions
During school terms, 10.30-11am
Fairfield - Monday
Northcote - Tuesday
Preston - Wedesday
Reservoir - Friday
Shake Rattle and Rhyme
Reservoir - Monday 11th & 25th, 11am
Fairfield - Tuesday 3rd & 17th, 2.30pm
Preston - Wednesday 23rd, 11am
Northcote - Thu 5th & 19th, 11am
http://www.darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au/
The Age Library Broadmeadows:
Weekly Storytime Sessions
Tuesday - 2pm & Fri - 11am
Babytime
Tuesday & Friday - 10.15am
Billingual Storytimes
Arabic - Wednesday - 11am
Assyrian - Thursday - 1pm
Turkish - Monday - 11am
http://www.humelibraries.vic.gov.au/
Whats_On/Storytimes
Toy Libraries:
DarebinToy Library: Reservoir Library
10-11am. First and third Thursday of
every month. 5th & 19th March
Moreland Toy Shed: Scout Hall, 14A
Jolley St, West Brunswick, 9.30-11.30am
Friday & Saturday
Broadmeadows Community Toy Library: 1-3 Bannister St, Jacana, 9am-1pm
Tuesday & Thursday
http://www.toylibraries.org.au/area/vic
Special Bilingual Storytime at
Broadmeadows Shopping Centre:
Thursdays 10.30-11.30am. Children’s
area, opposite Target.
http://
www.broadmeadowsshopping.com.au/
Event/Hume-City-Story-reading/
Coffee Chat’n’play
Uniting Church Hall, Victoria St, Coburg.Fridays
10.30-12pm during school terms.
Activities for pre-school children and their parents/
carers. Gold coin donation. http://
www.coburgunitingchurch.org/activities.htm
Croxton Uniting Church Playgroup
Uniting Church Hall, 326 St Georges Rd, Thornbury, (Cnr Shaftesbury Pde) Wednesdays 1012pm during school terms.
Provides activities for pre-school children and
their parents/carers. Gold coin donation.
Playgroup for Newly Arrived Families
Yooralla - North Children’s Service, 50 Wheatsheaf Rd, Glenroy. Wed 9.30-11.30amFor families
with babies, toddlers and young children. An opportunity for your children to play with other children, and information on parenting and other topics. Call Shabnam: 0414 237 416
Some Recommended
Local Playgroups:
Moreland Playgroups
Moreland Primary School, Moreland Rd,
Coburg. Starting Feb 3rd.
Moreland Playgroup has regular sessions
9-11am Tue, Wed, Thursday. On the first
Friday every month (10am-12noon) is a
Polish speaking playgroup. Contact
Gosia at [email protected]
or call 9386 2510 or 0432 088 016
Moreland Play Bus,
FG Cox Reserve, cnr Peterson Ave &
Claremont St, Coburg North. Mondays 10
-11am For children 0-6 and their parents/
carers. Contact Rebecca: 9386 7128 or
[email protected]
Persian Speaking Women’s Playgroup
Robinson Reserve Neighbourhood House, Thurs, 10am12pm during school terms. 104a Reynard St, Coburg.
Facilitated by Azadeh Kasmaei (qualified Early Years
practitioner) All enquiries to: Rebecca Heffernan on Ph:
9386 7128 [email protected]
smalltalk Playgroups are facilitated
by qualified Early Childhood Educators
who provide a warm, fun and stimulating playgroup environment for families.
They are free and for families with
children aged 1-3 years.
For more details on a smalltalk Playgroup near you, please contact
Lisa Hardy on 9481 9520 or email
[email protected]
Glenroy Playgroup
Fridays 9.30am, Belle Vue Park Primary School, Morell St, Glenroy.
Community Playgroup, all welcome.
Contact Danielle 9309 7900, email
[email protected]
Boorais in Hume Playgroup
Broadmeadows Community Hub, 180–182 Widford Street, Broadmeadows,
Thurs 12.30-2pm during school terms
Have a yarn, hear stories and meet other Aboriginal families, Elders and
community members. Healthy snack included. Contact: Ricki–Lee Mumbler
on 9205 2684 / 0429 707 964
http://www.hume.vic.gov.au
Preschool Storytime
Coburg North Primary School, O’Hea St, Coburg Nth. Thu 9-10am 9354 1660
http://www.coburgnorthps.vic.edu.au/page/111/Preschool-Storytime
Little Learners
Newlands Primary School, Elizabeth St, Coburg Nth. Mon 9-10.30am 9354 2928.
http://newlandscommunitynews.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/local-playgroup.html
For preschoolers, in the community room. Session is FREE and run by a trained teacher, during school terms.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
1st March Clean Up Australia Day encourages all Australians to take to their local park, beach, bushland or streets and help collect rubbish. Individuals and local groups can either organise a Clean Up Site or volunteer to join an existing Site. www.cleanup.org.au/au/
CleanUpEvents/clean-up-australia-day-2012.html
8th March International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the contribution and achievements of all women. It is an opportunity to remember the barriers that women have broken through, and the accomplishments they have made despite barriers. www.un.org/en/events/
womensday/
8-15th March Multiple Birth Awareness Week is a celebration of families raising twins, triplets, and more. The day also aims to raise
awareness of the challenges that go hand-in-hand with raising these children. www.amba.org.au/
13-15th March Melbourne Ukulele Festival brings together many of the world's best ukulele acts. It is a strongly community-focussed,
non-profit festival; dedicated to sharing the joy of the ukulele with both die-hard uke nuts and music fans in general. The festival will have
something for everyone - young or old, solo or ensemble, artist or fan. www.muf.org.au/
14th-22nd March Cultural Diversity Week is held annually in March. The Week provides an opportunity for all Victorians to celebrate our
cultural, linguistic and religious diversity, with a variety of events and activities taking place across the State. www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/
19th March Ride2School day encourages children to become more active and healthy in and out of school. Children participate by walking, riding or scooting to school. www.ride2school.com.au
19th March Close The Gap Day Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are still dying 10 to 17 years younger than other Australians. For that reason, more than 40 national organisations came together in 2006 to form Close the Gap Australia's largest ever campaign to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
www.oxfam.org.au/act/events/close-the-gap-day
21st March Naw-Ruz (`New Day') is the Bahá'í and Iranian new year. It occurs on the date of the vernal
equinox, and symbolises the new life of spring. www.un.org/en/events/nowruzday/
21st March Harmony Day is a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home - from the traditional owners of this land to those who have come from many countries around the world. By participating in
Harmony Day activities, we can learn and understand how all Australians from diverse backgrounds equally
belong to this nation and enrich it. www.harmony.gov.au/
23rd-29th March Playgroup Australia organises the annual National Playgroup Week to raise awareness of the importance of play for
young children. playgroupaustralia.org.au/
LOCAL EVENTS in Moreland, Darebin and Southern Hume
THE AGE LIBRARY, BROADMEADOWS
LEGO LEARNERS, Thursdays 4-5pm
Have fun learning with LEGO. Children can use LEGO in activities
designed to help practise writing, problem solving and develop creativity. LEGO supplied. Ages 6-12.
iTOTS Tuesdays 1.15-2pm
Encourage your child to use mobile devices in this fun, digitally interactive learning activity. Each week a different theme will be explored,
using the library’s iPads. Ages 2-5.
MINIMAKERS Wednesdays 4-5pm
Make craft treasures at our weekly “makerspace” session for children.
Ages 5–12
http://www.humelibraries.vic.gov.au/files/sharedassets/
libraries_website/hume_libraries/pdfs/whats_on_summer_201415_web.pdf
MAMA/PAPABAKE Every 2nd Monday 7-9.30pm,
Community Kitchen CERES
Cnr Roberts and Stewart Streets,, Brunswick East
Be one of the first 6 people in, to cook vegetarian meals in bulk, to
share, take home and freeze. http://www.ceres.org.au/Main/
whatson.html
DON BOSCO YOUTH CENTRE 715 Sydney Rd, Brunswick Open:
(during school term)
Tues-Fri 3.15-5pm for family sessions all ages to 17yrs
Sat 9.30-11am under 11’s Sat 2.30-5pm 11-17yrs
Sun 2.30-5pm all ages up to 17yrs
Four in-ground trampolines, pool tables, table tennis tables, soccer
tables, air hockey, gym equipment, basketball/tennis/ volley ball court.
Gold coin donation entry. Children under 11 must be accompanied by
a parent.
http://www.donbosco.org.au/TimeTable.htm
KINDERMUSIK Wednesdays 11.30-12pm, Fridays 11.15-11.45am
Moonee Ponds Bowling Club, Queens Park, Moonee Ponds.
Session includes singing, dancing, using props and percussion instruments. Free for children aged 6-18 months.
Contact Christine 9383 2559, [email protected]
http://www.mvcc.vic.gov.au/community-directory/arts-and-culture/
performing-arts/kindermusik.aspx
FAWKNER LIBRARY
FUN AT FOUR
Tue 24th Mar, 4pm - Manga
GET CRAFTY Wed 25th Mar, 2pm
Henna painting as part of Cultural Diversity Week.
http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/moreland-libraries.html
CONVERSATION CAFE Fri 6th Feb-10th April, 10-11am,
Preston Library
If you’d like to enhance your English language skills
through conversation or if you’d like to help others by participating in conversation practice and the sharing of stories, then please come along. Everyone is welcome. Light
refreshments will be served. http://
www.darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au/Calendar.aspx?
BRUNSWICK NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSES
DeCarle and Garden Streets, Brunswick
Lots of activities here—check out the website:
http://www.bnhc.vic.edu.au/
Hey De Ho music program Wednesdays at 2pm, $10 per
session. Ph 9387 9901 for more details.
THE WELCOME DINNER PROJECT
Connecting long-term residents and new arrivals over dinner.
Someone hosts and everyone prepares a meal from their
own culture to share. To register online: http://
www.joiningthedots.org
OPEN TABLE EVENTS Open Table use surplus food to
create wholesome community feasts, bringing together
people from all walks of life. Open Table is based on two
key ideas – food waste; and meeting the neighbours. Bring
your friends, and your family.
Fawkner Lunch - 1st Sat of month, 7th March; Brunswick
Dinner - 1st Sun of month, 1st Mar
Brunswick South Lunch - 2nd Sun of month, 8th Mar; Fitzroy
Lunch - 3rd Sun of month, 15th Mar
Collingwood Lunch - 4th Sun of month, 22nd Mar
Contact [email protected] if you would like to help at
any of these events. http://www.open-table.org/events/
upcoming
TREE OF FAITH COMMUNITY PROJECT Sat 28th Feb 2-5pm Fawkner Community House, 79 Jukes Rd, Fawkner
Fawkner residents are warmly invited to participate in this workshop.The Tree of Faith Fabric Arts Project is a great opportunity to chat
informally about faith while creating a lasting fabric artwork that will be exhibited in the community. No art experience necessary - just an
open mind. Bring friends and family, light afternoon tea provided. For information or to register your attendance, call 9240 1225
http://moreland.vic.gov.au/about-council/news-media/news-and-notices/tree-of-faith-fabric-arts-project.html
CYCLEWISE Sun 1st Mar, 10am-3pm, Coburg Town Hall, 90 Bell St, Coburg
Gain confidence on your bike
CycleWise is a free workshop for adults who can cycle, but are not confident cycling around the city. The course covers Victorian road
rules, bike safety checks, safe riding in traffic, route planning and more. Gain skills riding off-road and go on an escorted ride through
streets. Please bring your own lunch. To register your attendance or for more information, contact Kris Kasmawan on 9240 1177 or email
[email protected] http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/action/EVENT?
svPkg_EventsG_CurrentRec=91482,svPkg_EventsG_Container=Y
CHINESE NEW YEAR AT BATMAN MARKET Sat 28th Feb Sun 1st Mar, 9am-4pm, 14-22 Gaffney St, Coburg.
Featuring Lion dance and children’s workshop, Chinese orchestra and ancient Erhu, traditional Chinese performances,
Taiwanese and Multicultural food, face painting and jumping
castle, martial arts demonstration.
www.batmanmarket.com.au
SYDNEY RD STREET PARTY Sun 1st March, 12-7pm,
between Union St, and Victoria St, Brunswick
http://www.brunswickmusicfestival.com.au/sydney-roadstreet-party.htm
BRUNSWICK MUSIC FESTIVAL 1st-15th Mar
Check out the website for information. There are family
events, free events and, of course, the big Sydney Road
Street Party—see below.
http://www.brunswickmusicfestival.com.au/program.htm
AUSTRALIAN SYRIAN ASSOCIATION VICTORIA BARBEQUE Sun 8th Mar
Coburg Lake Reserve, Coburg
A community event for members and friends. Barbeque
and socialising. http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/arts-andfestivals/community-festivals/festival-calendar.html
MUSIC FOR THE PEOPLE, Sat 14th Mar, 4-8.30pm,
Shore Reserve, Corner Melville and Reynard, Pascoe Vale
Sth.
Music for the People promises to delight with a program of
activities and entertainment that celebrates the wonderful
cultural diversity of Moreland. The program offers something for everyone with a selection of world music and interactive sessions, children’s activities and market stalls.
So pack a picnic, gather family and friends and come along
to enjoy celebration of cultural riches on the lush lawns of
the picturesque Shore Reserve in Pascoe Vale
South. Don’t forget your dancing shoes!
http://www.brunswickmusicfestival.com.au/program-2015music-for-the-people.htm
ORKEZTRA GLASSO BASHALDE 21st Mar, 2-3pm,
Northcote Library
Join us to celebrate Harmony Day with a performance of
world music and gypsy melodies by Orkeztra Glasso Bashalde (The Orke). An inclusive community orchestra, The
Orke’s vision is to develop musicianship and strengthen
community by promoting awareness of diverse musical
cultures. For Harmony Day they will fill the library with wonderfully diverse sounds from their repertoire of world music,
including Klezmer, Middle Eastern, Greek, Macedonian
and other Balkan and Romany music.
http://www.darebin-libraries.vic.gov.au/Calendar.aspx?
Mode=Month&Day=1&Month=3&Year=2015
PEPPERTREE PLACE
Standard opening hours Tue - Fri, 10am -4.30pm
512 Sydney Rd, Coburg, entry on Urquart St.
INCR-EDIBLE FOOD SWAP Sat 7th March,10am-12pm
Tomato saucing and food preserving workshop with Ross Parker.
Come along and see how to preserve and pickle, relish and restock
your pantry with summer goodness that will last you throughout the
winter!
https://www.kildonan.org.au/social-enterprises/peppertree-place/
TEDDY BEARS PICNIC Wed 4th Mar, 9.30am-12pm, Clarinda Park,
Moonee Ponds
Bring along your favourite teddy to enjoy story time, face painting and
craft for the kids. Pack lunch and a picnic rug for this free community
event for pre-schoolers, not to be missed.
http://mvcc.vic.gov.au/experience-moonee-valley/events-andfestivals/teddy-bears-picnic.aspx
GRAVEYARD WALK Wed 11th Mar, 9.30 onwards. Fawkner Memorial Park, Sydney Rd
Visit some of Moreland’s famous permanent residents and their
monuments as you are guided to their resting place at Fawkner
Cemetery. This popular tour is part of our Talks on Moreland series
and is suitable for all ages. Some sections of the cemetery may not
be accessible to people with disabilities. Wear sensible shoes and
bring water and sunscreen. 9.30 am, Meet outside the tearooms.
Places are limited. Bookings essential. Register for this event
online or phone 9355 4200
http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/action/EVENT?
svPkg_EventsG_CurrentRec=91472,svPkg_EventsG_Container=Y
DAREBIN COMMUNITY AND KITE FESTIVAL Sun 15th Mar, 11am6pm, Edwards Lake Park
Come along for sky-high kite flying, kite making workshops, kids’ activities and great entertainment, this is a calendar favourite for local
residents and kite flying enthusiasts. Local artists, guest musicians
and colourful community groups showcase their creativity on the park
stage, while illusionists and stilt walkers roam the gardens delighting
curious minds. Council services, social groups, charity organisations
and special interest groups go on display in the community connections stall area. As always the site will come alive with roaming entertainers, interactive community activities from Polyglot Theatre and The Future Postal Service and dress ups with Stage School
Australia, plus FREE amusement rides and a jumping castle for the
kids!
http://www.darebinarts.com.au/whats-on/darebin-communitykite-festival
HARMONY DAY LUNCHEON Wed 18th Mar, 12pm
Sussex Neighbourhood House 235 Sussex St, PascoeVale
Guest speaker, Mr Chin Tan, chairperson Victorian Multicultural Commission. Join us to celebrate Harmony Day by bringing a plate of multicultural food to share. RSVP 16th Mar 9354 2210
https://sussexnh.wordpress.com/workshops/
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO START KINDERGARTEN AND SCHOOL? Wed 18th Mar, 7-9pm
Moreland Civic Centre, 90 Bell St, Coburg.
We invite you to explore this issue with Shona Bass, and a panel of early childhood professionals.
$10 per person, bookings essential, 9204 2316, or email: [email protected] by 15th March
http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/community-services/children/parent-information-sessions.html
st
HARVEST FESTIVAL Sat 21 March, 10am-3pm,
CERES Cnr Roberts and Stewart Streets,, Brunswick East
Our annual celebration of farmers, the good earth and the cycle
of the seasons... featuring the Story Peddlers, a community
feast, craft and artisan stalls, farm animals, music, face painting
and heaps of other stuff. http://www.ceres.org.au/
GLENROY FESTIVAL Sun 22 March Sewell Reserve, Glenroy
Road, Glenroy
The 2015 Glenroy Festival promises an exciting program that
has a truly distinctive local feel showcasing local talent along
with some of Glenroy’s best kept secrets. There will be live
music, roving performers, kids activities, face painting, arts and
crafts and food.
http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/arts-and-festivals/communityfestivals/glenroy-festival.html
PLAY IN THE PARK Friday 26th March 10am-12pm, National Playgroup Event, All Abilities Playground, Bundoora Park, 1069 Plenty
Rd, Bundoora. The Toy Library will be visiting a park in Darebin once a month and families are invited to join in the fun. It offers a free
play opportunity with additional activities in the park. It’s a great way for parents and children to make new friends. Participants will also
be able to speak City of Darebin staff about services for families with young children.
http://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/Darebin-Living/Community-support/FamiliesandChildren/FamilySupport (under playgroups)
Merri Community Health Services offers a Social Work Service: DUTY, Monday-Friday, from 1-3pm, 93 Bell St, Coburg.
There is no need to make an appointment, just go to reception. Anyone needing information, referral and/or one off social
work assistance can use the service, and it’s free.
http://mchs.org.au/services/services-for-adults/social-workservice-duty/
AN INTERESTING ARTICLE
The Murdoch Children’s Institute have been conducting a trial of
an oral treatment for peanut allergy and have some exciting news
for people suffering from this scary and inconvenient condition.
See the article at their website:
http://www.mcri.edu.au/news/2015/january/peanut-allergy/
APP OF THE MONTH
March’s App is Faces iMake – Right Brain Creativity, By iMagine Machine LTD, $3.79
A creative app that allows kids (or adults) to design portraits with random objects such as lemons, grape bunches, pencils, tape rolls,
paintbrushes, cheese graters, dominoes, etc. Users can also upload photos using their phone's camera or use a photo from the device's
image library
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/faces-imake-premium
FAMILY EVENTS in Melbourne City Council:
go to: www.weekendnotes.com/melbourne/kids/
www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Whatson/FortheKids/Pages/FortheKids.aspx
MILARRI GARDEN TRAIL, 10am-5pm, Daily, Melbourne
Museum, 11 Nicholson st Carlton
Explore Bunjilaka's beautiful Indigenous garden. Discover
the plants and waterways significant to Aboriginal people
of south-eastern Australia and the traditional uses of indigenous plants. On this family trail you will have the opportunity to explore sculpture, a cave with Indigenous
paintings and live animals. The self-guided trail leads
through the Milarri Garden and into the Forest Gallery,
where you can experience aspects of a forest environment, stopping at nine points along the way to learn more
about indigenous flora and fauna. The eels in Milarri Pond
are fed by a staff member each day at 1:45 PM.
Free with museum entry. http://museumvictoria.com.au/
bunjilaka/whatson/current-exhibitions/milarri-garden/
CHILDREN’S GARDEN, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Ave,
South Yarra
The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden is the perfect place for kids
who love getting their hands dirty in the garden. There’s lots of fun
places to explore including the Ruin Garden, the Meeting Place (which
has a water feature that sprays up out of the ground in summer!), a Wetland Area, Bamboo Forest, The Gorge, Plant Tunnel, Kitchen Garden
(full of yummy vegetables!) and The Rill (a gentle waterway that runs
through the Garden). Open 10am–sunset Wednesday–Sunday and public holidays; 10am–sunset seven days a week during Victorian State
School holidays. http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-melbourne/attractions/
children-garden
PORT OPEN DAYS – FREE BOAT TOURS OF THE PORT OF MELBOURNE
Sun 29th Mar, bookings open Mon 2nd Mar
Round trips leave from:
-Gem Pier in Williamstown, 90mins return at 9am & 11am
-Victoria Harbour in Docklands, 60mins return at 1.45pm, 3pm & 4.15pm
Port Open Day boat tours visit Australia’s busiest container terminal at Swanson Dock, where you can see the massive ships and cranes up close. Williamstown tours include a visit to Webb Dock, currently being developed as Melbourne’s third container terminal. Docklands tours include Victoria Dock and
Appleton Dock, the port’s more historic facilities. The tours are fun, free family
events and the best way to see Australia’s busiest port, right on the city’s doorstep. Book now, via this link, on the online booking form
http://www.portofmelbourne.com/community-and-recreation/visiting-the-port/
boat-tours
MOVIES UNDER THE STARS AT DOCKLAND
Bring a picnic blanket and hamper to Yarra's
Edge, Docklands and watch a free movie screening under a starry night. The site opens at 7pm
and the movie begin 8:30pm. The event also includes Made in Melbourne short film screenings
each week celebrating local talent, a free return
ferry service from Federation Square (departing
at 6:30pm from the Riverside berth) for the first
120 guests, and free bean bag hire to the first 100
guests!
Mar 5th – Skyfall
Mar 13th – Frozen
http://www.destinationdocklands.com.au/events/
movies-stars/
STICKY FINGERS AT VIC MARKET Sundays in March 9am-4pm
Food traders were asked to think out of the box, off the plate and uncontained and put it on a stick.
Visit our celebration of all things stick in Queen Street on a Sunday. With live music, kids’ entertainment, a bar and only food that
can be served à la stick, this is sure to be an event that will stick with you
http://www.qvm.com.au/sticky-fingers-2/
GRANNY SKILLS (FOOD) Sun 1st Mar, 10.30am-12.30pm,
ArtPlay, Birarrung Marr
Bring your own Granny or special grown-up along so they
can share their stories and help you create some fabulous
batches of jams, pickles and edible art with Rebecca Sullivan
(safe-guarder of Granny Skills). If you have any spare jars
with lids in the cupboard, bring them too so they can get
filled with something tasty. Ages 6-12 yrs. http://
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay/WhatsOn/
Pages/5to8years.aspx#granny
HARVEST ‘N’ GRAZE FESTIVAL Sun 1st Mar, 10am-6pm
setting up on the banks of Yarra River. In between the cafes, restaurants
and bars, South Wharf Promenade will set the perfect scene for a cosmopolitan riverside celebration. Headlined by the multitalented Guy
Pearce & Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), this free family event will
encapsulate the best of what Melbourne has to offer!
http://www.harvestngraze.com/
BACKYARD GARDEN ARTSPLAY: SEALIFE – PANORAMA Sun 1st, 15th & 29th Mar 10.30am
Port Philip EcoCentre, St Kilda Botanic Gardens, Blessington Street, St Kilda, under Willow, Story Tree.
Sharing a snapshot panorama of our amazing Port Phillip Bay's thriving sea life as a life size assemblage using recyclable materials and
objects from nature. A family friendly outdoors arts project for eco-youngsters to create an imaginary habitat of hanging mobile sea creatures in a colourful underwater world. A kids arts activity supporting 'Seashell Safaris – a fresh look @ the beach' action. Ages 4-12yrs.
$5 donation. No need to book - just turn up. This is a family event, and all are welcome.
http://www.ecocentre.com/node/1435
PLAY POD AT STATE LIBRARY VICTORIA Daily til 12th April, 10am-4pm
Come out to play in the State Library's garden-themed Play Pod! It’s packed with interactive activities for children to read, create and
play, all inspired by your own backyard. Make and plant flowers, dress up as a gardener to water your vegies, add a leaf to the cardboard tree or snuggle up with one of our storytelling kits.
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/play-pod
MOOMBA 6 th -8 th March, Melbourne
Moomba is Australia’s largest community festival with more than
one million visitors expected to come together to explore this year’s
extraordinary program of free events and activities amidst a bustling
carnival. With a dedicated Kids Zone running Sat-Mon from 11am6pm. Also features:
Birdman Rally - Sun 8th 12pm
Moomba Parade - Mon 9th 11am
http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Moomba/KidsZone
JAPANESE SUMMER FESTIVAL March 8,1pm-5pm,
Federation Square
A vibrant festival filled with traditional and contemporary
Japanese culture, food, activities and entertainment. Taiko
drumming, shamisen, break dancing, martial arts, origami
classes are a few of the many family friendly activities to be
enjoyed. http://jcci-jsm.org.au/fest/
THAI CULTURE AND FOOD FESTIVAL Sun 15th Mar, 10am-9pm, Federation Square Spend a day in Thailand right here in Melbourne and experience Sanook (fun) at our 12th annual Festival. Featuring 5 stages of performances, from drum parade to Buddhist
Ceremony, from classical dance to Muay Thai, cultural shows to lifestyle, cooking demonstrations to food stalls, products, massage,
entertainment and wonderful Singha beer in the Singha beer garden and much much more. We’d love to have you witness our performances, stall holders, staff and volunteers say “Khob Khun“!! http://www.thaifestvic.com/event-details/
CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL Sun 22 nd Mar, 10am-4pm, Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne
The big day out for little readers is back … it’s time for our annual Children’s Book Festival celebrating the wonderful world of children’s
literature and storytelling.
It’s a day when we invite kids — and their parents — to dive into the pleasures of books and reading, in as many different ways as
possible. All you have to do is turn up and start roaming across the lawns and throughout the State Library and the Wheeler Centre —
there’s plenty to discover. For one big day, it’s all been turned into your very own children’s literary playground. Suitable for children
aged 5-11yrs.
Download the program here: http://wheeler-centre-heracles.s3.amazonaws.com/wheeler-centre/assets/b2/
c2ea40b7cb11e4af7d518e60415002/Children_s-Book-Festival-Programme-2015.pdf
http://www.wheelercentre.com/events/children-s-book-festival-2015
Useful and helpful information for parents can be found at the following websites, most include tip sheets on various topics related to child development and parenting.
http://raisingchildren.net.au/
http://parenting.sa.gov.au/
http://parentingaustralia.com.au/
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/