School holiday fun

The Fox and The Child is a great family film entertainment.The Fox and The Child is a great family film entertainment.

WHAT to do with the kids during the school holidays? Word games are always good! How many five-letter words can they make with the letters ‘IMBORED’?
Or, what about some of these great holiday activities? Bookings are essential for most events and while many have an admission fee, some are free. All are great value and sure to be great fun.
Ice Age 3
DAWN of the Dinosaurs is the third in the Ice Age series, rated G.
Mooroolbark, Wednesday 23 September, 7.30pm (free session); Healesville – Wednesday 30 September and Warburton – Thursday 1 October, 11am.
The Fox and The Child
A DELIGHTFUL story of a magical life-changing encounter between a wild fox and a young girl and their impossible friendship. Rated G at Healesville – Wednesday 23 September and Warburton – Thursday 24 September.
Gothic theatre
THE Grimstones Hatched is a gothic fairytale that will appeal to anyone from eight to 80. A delightfully bizarre story, told with giant books, beautiful handcrafted marionettes and sign language, at Warburton on Tuesday 29 September. Must book. Entry charge.*
Join the circus
CIRCUS workshops with RUCCIS. Programs for ages six to nine and 10 to 12 at Warburton, Healesville and Mooroolbark. Phone for dates and times. Bookings essential.*
Hip Hop
HIP Hop workshops. Cool hip hop fun for girls and boys ages six to 12.
Healesville – Thursday 24 September; Warburton – Wednesday 23 September and 30 September. Bookings essential*.
ARTY
Art-4-Kids. Paint, cut, paste and weave a colourful creative project. Suitable for kids six to 12. Healesville, Friday 25 September and 2 October; Warburton Tuesday 22 September. Bookings essential*.
Theatre Sports
THEATRE Sports @ Healesville for people of all ages. Ever Wanted to be on ‘Thank God You’re Here’? Well now’s your chance, on Friday 25 September from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Healesville Memorial Hall. Join a team or be part of the audience. No experience needed … and it’s free! Great prizes and refreshments provided. Phone Yarra Ranges Youth Services on 9294 6716 or visit www.yrys.com.
Show time!
GO TO the Royal Melbourne Show – for free! Centacare Catholic Family Services are offering families in fire- affected areas free admission, transport and ride vouchers for a show excursion on Friday 25 September. The bus will pick up at Marysville, Buxton, Narbethong and Healesville. Space is limited but, depending on demand, further packages may be available on the 25th or another day.
Phone Kate Brilli on 0400 460 171 or email kate.brilli@centacaremelbourne.org.au for an application form.
Drive away
METEC Driver Training Centre in Bayswater is running a school-holiday pre-learner driving program. The half-day courses will run on 22 and 30 September. Further courses will run in November, December and January. Phone 9725 4758.
Jandomania
HEALESVILLE’S very first indoor playroom, Jandomania, will be open every day but Monday throughout the school holidays. Set up with a range of fun activity equipment, it is suitable for children from toddlers up to 12 years old. Jandomania is at Unit1 29 Hunter Street, Healesville. Phone 5962 2722.
Junction Library
YARRA Junction Library has three great activities. On Friday 25 September make Veggie people. Suitable for kids five-plus. On Wednesday 30 September Pete the Plumber will entertain with his dog Droppo, in a singing, dancing, musical show. And, on Friday 2 October, Bert and his donkeys will visit the library. All ages are welcome. Phone 5967 1588 for further information and to book.
Healesville Library
HEALESVILLE Library is also offering craft activities. Make your own Worry Doll on Wednesday 23 September and they’ve found a use for the ‘not’ lost sock. On Wednesday 30 September take along an odd sock and turn it into a stray sock buddy. Phone 5962 4423 for more information and to book.
Events marked * are presented by Shire of Yarra Ranges Arts Culture and Heritage. For details and to book, and for more information on additional activities at Montrose and Mooroolbark, visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ach or phone 5966 5040.