Ararat Rural City Council’s Winter School Holiday Program a Hit

Ararat Rural City Council’s Winter School Holiday Program wrapped up last week, following a successful series of engaging and entertaining activities for children and families from across the region.

Highlights of the program included a variety of free activities at the Ararat Library, such as Extended Lego, Movie Mondays, NAIDOC Craft, and Game Time Trials.

Ararat Gallery TAMA’s drop-in NAIDOC Week-inspired craft activities were well attended, as well as a special NAIDOC Week program led by renowned Kirrae Whurrung artist Brett Clarke.

This unique cultural experience offered young participants an opportunity to connect with Country and spirit by exploring traditional creation stories, participating in animal creation dances, and learning about songlines and cultural tools.

The Jon & Jero performance and workshop at the Ararat Town Hall was a clear crowd favourite. Their blend of physical comedy, memorable characters, and improvisation had the audience in stitches, offering families a uniquely engaging, choose-your-own-adventure style show.

The subsequent workshop also proved to be a hit, offering children aged 5 and up a chance to delve deeper into the world of performance.

"We are absolutely delighted with the fantastic turnout and positive feedback we've received for this year's Winter School Holiday Program," said Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong. 

"It was wonderful to see so many young people engaging in these activities, exploring their creativity, and making new friends. Providing a welcoming and enriching environment for children during the school holidays is incredibly important to us, and this program certainly achieved that."