Local Families Turn Out for Another Successful Winter School Holiday Program

Ararat Rural City Council’s Winter School Holiday Program wrapped up last week after a fantastic run of fun and engaging activities for local kids and families.

Highlights of the program included a variety of free activities at the Ararat Library, such as Lego Club, Movie Mondays, NAIDOC Craft, and a special appearance from children’s comedy favourite Mr Snotbottom.

The Library’s Coding Club also ran an extended school holiday edition, and spots are still open for Term 3. Coding Club will run during the school term from 4 pm to 5 pm. Families can choose between a Monday or Tuesday session at the Ararat Library. To learn more or enrol your child, reach out to the library team at (03) 5350 2204 or email [email protected].

The Ararat Fitness Centre hosted a highly popular series of Play Gym sessions for toddlers aged one to four, drawing a record-breaking crowd of over 100 attendees. These sessions offered wide-ranging benefits for young participants, including physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development, as well as language skills and confidence-building. 

Ararat Gallery TAMA’s free drop-in art sessions we’re also a big hit, with over 80 attendees joining in to get creative and experiment with different materials in a relaxed studio space. The gallery also hosted a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, bringing the community together to celebrate NAIDOC Week.

Another major highlight was the Trash Test Dummies show at the Ararat Town Hall. Their brilliant comedy took the crowd on a wild ride where wheelie bins became everything from rocket ships to chariots and circus equipment. Featuring music, dance, and lots of audience participation, it was an unforgettable, action-packed experience for everyone.

"The turnout and positive feedback for this year's Winter School Holiday Program has been fantastic," said Mayor Cr Bob Sanders. "It was wonderful to see kids enjoying the activities, getting creative, and making new friends. We’re proud to offer a welcoming space for our young people during the school holidays, and this program has really hit the mark."