Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the Way, Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer s day!

Transcription

1 Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the Way, Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer s day! Hello members, Welcome once again to our Christmas issue of! 2012 is drawing to a close and Christmas is almost upon us! This means that we have lots of summer activities to look forward to and lots of fun to share. Some of these activities include our annual Christmas Party at Catani Gardens, St Kilda Harbour on Sunday 16 December 2012 which will be a special day with a shared Christmas lunch, lots of Christmas goodies, good old-fashioned party games and a visit from Santa. To get us into the Christmas mood we are also planning an event at Santa s Christmas Show Spectacular, Wonderland Fun Park, Docklands on Sunday 23 December After a Christmas break we meet again on Friday 25 January 2013 at Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre for twilight jazz and a swim. Our annual summer camp is at Camp Manyung, Mt Eliza from 8-10 February This event is not to be missed. We look forward to enjoying these events with you and your family. If you are a single parent family and you would like to come along to any of our summer activities please text Shona on her mobile number Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and looking forward to seeing you soon! Shona Stephen - Coordinator and Christine Edmondson - Administration Volunteer Page 1

2 Calendar of Events Sunday 25 November 2012 The Ian Potter Foundation Children s Garden Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Observatory Precinct, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra (opposite the Shrine of Remembrance) Meeting pm onwards in the Children s Garden BYO - afternoon tea or purchase from Observatory Café within the Visitors Centre RSVP essential - Christine by Friday 23 November 2012 Children s Garden Page 2

3 Saturday 1 December 2012 St Kilda Adventure Playground Off Neptune St, St Kilda Meeting pm onwards at covered BBQ area next to kitchen BYO food and drinks RSVP essential by parentlink@ymca.org.au or contact Shona Stephen on by Friday 30 November 2012 Sunday 16 December 2012 Annual XMAS Party Catani Gardens, St Kilda Harbour Ho Ho Ho... It s s annual Christmas Party! Meeting pm next to children s playground BYO - plate of party food to share and chair to sit on This is a special day for all families. Please come and have fun enjoying oldfashioned party games with your family, a craft corner and the excitement of the children when Santa arrives! This is a great opportunity to: - get into the Christmas spirit whilst acquainting yourself with lots of members (both new and old); and catch up with those members you already know! Please bring a gift for each child with each child s name clearly marked on the outside up to the value of $10. All gifts should be placed discretely in Santa s sack on your arrival. RSVP essential by parentlink@ymca.org.au or contact Shona Stephen on by Friday 14 December 2012 Page 3

4 Map for Christmas Party Sunday 23 December 2012 Santa s Christmas Show Spectacular Wonderland Fun Park 120 Pearl River Road, Harbour Town Shopping Centre, Docklands, Melbourne, Vic. Wonderland Fun Park is conveniently located between Costco and the Ice House below the Southern Star Observation Wheel. Meeting 10.30am at entrance Super Santa Show Pass - Meet and greet with Santa, a gift to take home as well as Unlimited Rides and entry into Santa's Circus Spectacular Entry - $35 (must be booked in advance online) RSVP essential by parentlink@ymca.org.au or contact Shona Stephen on as soon as you make your online booking please do not leave this to the last minute or you may be disappointed! Page 4

5 on holiday break until January families are encouraged to meet up through YMCA Facebook page Friday 25 January 2013 Twilight Jazz with inflatable for the children Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre 180 Victoria Road, Northcote Meeting 5.00pm onwards on the grass (deep end of pool) Entry - free for members (pick up your ticket from reception) BYO picnic dinner RSVP essential by parentlink@ymca.org.au or contact Shona Stephen on by Thursday 24 January 2013 Page 5

6 Friday 8 February 2013 to Sunday 10 February 2013 Summer Camp YMCA Camp Manyung 35 Sunnyside Road, Mount Eliza More details to follow. RSVP essential by parentlink@ymca.org.au or contact Shona Stephen on by Friday 25 January 2013 Sunday 24 February 2013 Carlton Baths 248 Rathdowne Street, Carlton Meeting 2.00pm onwards, pool games to be organised by YMCA volunteers Entry - free for members (pick ticket up from reception) RSVP by parentlink@ymca.org.au or contact Shona Stephen on by Friday 23 February 2013 Saturday 16 March 2013 St Kilda Pier and Penguins Come and enjoy fish and chips and a penguin colony tour provided by Earthcare St Kilda Meeting 4.00pm on St Kilda Beach next to Pier Cost - small gold coin donation for tour RSVP essential by parentlink@ymca.org.au or contact Shona Stephen on by Friday 15 March 2013 Page 6

7 Map for St Kilda Pier Saturday 6 April 2013 Train Trip to Castlemaine and Maldon Castlemaine is only 90 minutes travel time from Melbourne via VLine. We will then connect with a classic steam train run by the Victorian Goldfields Railway and continue on to Maldon. Maldon is a town steeped in history. It once had quartz reefs that were among the world's richest, attracting a population which built grand houses and a very busy commercial centre. It is home to the most intact historic streetscape in Victoria. Meeting 8.00am at Southern Cross Station, Melbourne RSVP essential by parentlink@ymca.org.au or contact Shona Stephen on by Friday 5 April 2013 Page 7

8 Sunday 28 April 2013 Blackburn Lake Sanctuary Gwenda Ave, Blackburn (walking distance from Blackburn Station) Meeting 2.00pm in front of visitors centre - kids art and craft activities between 2.00pm and 4.00pm BYO afternoon tea picnic RSVP essential by parentlink@ymca.org.au or contact Shona Stephen on by Friday 26 April 2013 Saturday 18 May 2013 Kids Flicks at Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) Federation Square, 2 Swanston Street, Melbourne Meeting 1.00pm at ticket box RSVP essential by parentlink@ymca.org.au or contact Shona Stephen on by Friday 17 May 2013 Page 8

9 Sunday 2 June 2013 Trampolining at Bounce Inc 12 Weir Street, Glen Iris (walking distance from Tooronga train station) Bounce Inc is an indoor trampolining universe - the first of its kind in Australia Lots of fun for big and little kids (minimum height 110cm) Meeting 2.00pm at entrance Cost- $15 per person first hour then $10.00 each second hour BYO - own socks RSVP essential by parentlink@ymca.org.au or contact Shona Stephen on by Friday 31 May 2013 Saturday 22 June 2013 IMAX Melbourne Rathdowne Street, Carlton (within Melbourne Museum complex) Housing the world's third largest screen, IMAX Melbourne Museum provides you with the ultimate in movie going experience. Our screen measures a massive 32 metres x 23 metres, is Melbourne s largest screen and also provides Australia s largest 3D image. This screen, combined with a revolutionary projection system, customised theatre geometry and 15,000 watts of digital surround sound offers you the most immersive cinematic experience in the world. Meeting 3.00pm at ticket box in IMAX theatre foyer (suitable movie to be chosen closer to event) RSVP essential by parentlink@ymca.org.au or contact Shona Stephen on by Friday 21 June 2013 Page 9

10 Saturday 6 July 2013 Mt Baw Baw Day Trip to Snow Meeting am at Federation Square, outside Ian Potter Centre, Russell St, Melbourne Bus leaves am sharp and returns to Ian Potter Centre at 6.00pm Cost of bus - to be advised (does not include resort entry, toboggan hire or ski hire) Sunday 28 July 2013 Immigration Museum Melbourne 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne The Immigration Museum explores the stories of real people from all over the world who have migrated to Victoria. Located in the Old Customs House in the heart of the city, the museum re-creates the real-life stories of coming to Australia with a rich mix of moving images, personal and community voices, memories and memorabilia. Meeting 1pm at reception Entry - Adult $10, Concession and Child (3 16 years) free entry RSVP essential by parentlink@ymca.org.au or contact Shona Stephen on by Friday 26 July 2013 Page 10

11 Recent newspaper articles... Going it alone not easy THE YMCA's program is based on the notion that happier parents raise happier kids. It's designed to give stressed single parents a break by offering a social support group that goes on outings Parents feel free to make the link GENEVIEVE is relishing the chance to share experiences with other single parents as part of a YMCA program. organises activities Linked in for parent support SINGLE mum Emma joined YMCA s program to help her connect with others in her age group. Ms Addison was in her 30s every few weeks. co-ordinator Shona Stephen said single mums and dads can feel stressed doing it alone, which at times can affect the kids. Nicole, 29, has found raising' her daughter, Madeleine, 3, as a single mum to be challenging' and lonely at times. A beauty therapist who is about to start a nursing degree, she has for families as a way to reduce the sense of isolation single mums anddads can feel. It s nice to have people who have an understanding of the situation you are in as a single p a r e n t, Genevieve, from Northcote, said. So far she has been on trips to the beach, park and zoo, as well as to the snow last winter. She said the safe environ- She said the safe environment gave parents time to relax and take a breather. Because of the supportive atmosphere it gives you and had a three-month-old daughter, Feliciana, when she turned to her maternal health nurse for advice. She suggested I join the program and it has really been fantastic, Emma, a Frankston resident, said. I ve had a lot of support from the group. It has given me a great deal of encouragement to help me fulfil the single-parent role. She and Feliciana have been a member of for two years. The outings and support made life easier, she said. a chance for a break maybe duck away to the toilet without worrying about your child because you know there s someone to look after them. The YMCA recently waived the program s $60 membership fee to make it more accessible, program leader Shona Stephen said. There were just a lot of parents that felt another bill was prohibitive, Ms Stephen said. also explored activities together that would have been difficult on their own. We ve gone bush walking and recently our group went to the snow. It was just great, she said. My daughter is now four and she has made friends too. has abandoned its membership cost and is now free to join. Page 11

12 Don t miss s summer camp! Camp Manyung 8-10 February 2013 Camp Manyung is nestled in a small valley between Mt Eliza and Mornington overlooking Port Phillip Bay and only one hour from Melbourne. It is the perfect location for families to discover and experience water based adventure activities such as: Boat Fishing The camp Manyung boat is often used over the summer months to take groups out to fish in Port Phillip Bay. Our fishing guide with 40 years experience teaches participants how to handle a rod, bait and removal of the fish hook. All fish caught are released back into the water as YMCA promotes responsible recreational fishing principles of catch and release. Sea Kayaking Sea kayaking is a unique camp experience and uses sit-on-top sea kayaks. If you are lucky, participants may be able to see dolphins or seals while taking in the beauty of Port Phillip Bay. Open Water Learning Program Trained staff will teach participants about water safety and paddling skills. Participants receive a certificate of participation from Life Saving Victoria. Raft Building Raft building: using barrels, ropes and planks of wood, groups attempt to build a raft that should float in the water, tests teamwork and communication. Snorkelling Discover the magic of the underwater world by snorkelling at the shallow reefs off Sunnyside Beach. Page 12

13 This is a fully catered camp including 5 meals. The first catered meal is Saturday breakfast and the last meal is Sunday lunch. Tea, coffee & fruit will be provided for the duration of the camp. *** Please note - members will need to provide their own dinner on the first night of camp *** Cost per person - $140 (child or adult) Children under 2 free For more information about this camp please contact Shona Stephen on her mobile or her at parentlink@ymca.org.au Page 13

14 Details Join us - Annual Family Membership **** Free Annual Membership **** From 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 Name.... Address Phone Mobile Occupation Children s Names & Ages Join up over the phone OR post or fax your membership form to the address below: Attention: Shona Stephen YMCA Community Development Unit S9/570 Lygon Street, CARLTON VIC 3053 Phone Fax: Member Benefits As a member, you will have access to planned weekend events, family adventure camps, newsletters, home share services workshops and more For Sale Classifieds Classifieds members are welcome to advertise any For unwanted Sale goods and items in reasonable condition. Please contact members the welcome office to advertise here at any the unwanted YMCA, with goods the details and items you in wish reasonable to advertise. condition. Please contact the office here at the Professional Services YMCA, with the details you wish to advertise. Members are welcome to advertise professional Professional services. Services: Members are welcome to advertise professional Your Contributions services. If you have an idea regarding parenting or an Your experience Contributions! you would like to share OR you have If read you a have good an book idea OR regarding been to parenting an informative an experience workshop, please you would drop like us a to line. share OR you have read a good book OR been to an informative workshop, If you would please like drop to have us a line. something published in the next letter, please you If article you would to Shona like at to shona.stephen@ymca.org.au, have something published in or the send next your contributions letter, to; please you article to Shona at shona.stephen@ymca.org.au, or send your contributions to; Attention: Shona Stephen Attention: Community Shona Development Stephen Unit Community S9/570 Lygon Development Street Unit S9/570 CARLTON Lygon VIC Street 3053 CARLTON VIC 3053 Volunteer Hosts If you would like to host an event or activity in your local area, please consider joining up as a volunteer host. If you would like more information or you are interested in becoming a volunteer host for please contact Shona Stephen on or by shona.stephen@ymca.org.au Page 14