Orange City Council will deliver an engaging program of activities and events throughout the summer break, with plenty of activities to help families enjoy the outdoors and keep young minds entertained.
Orange City Council’s Services Policy Committee Chair Mel McDonell said the programs on offer cater for a range of interests and ages across all Council’s agencies.
‘’We are very lucky in Orange to have all these amazing Council organisations serving the community. There is something for everyone in Council’s school holiday program this year,’’ Cr Mel McDonell said.
‘’The public facilities have so much to offer and it’s great to see such a variety of activities to meet everyone’s needs. The program will appeal to families and children of all ages and interests.’’
The gallery, museum, library, and youth hub have combined forces to create a school holiday calendar available online, all in one place: https://www.orange.nsw.gov.au/school-holidays/
‘’We really recommend for everyone to book to make sure they don’t miss out,’’ Cr McDonell said.
Orange City Library is kicking off the summer break with 2 Christmas craft sessions starting on the 22nd of December.
An activity will happen almost every day during the 2 first weeks of 2023 between 10am and 12pm. Lego Club, miniature creation and a Princess Bride anniversary movie screening are on the program. Orange City Library will be wrapping up the school holidays activities during the last week of January with their Kids Reading Program.
Orange Regional Museum is hosting two free family-centred tours of the exhibition Enemy Aliens: the Dunera boys in Orange, 1941 on Tuesday 17 January and Wednesday 25 January. Families with kids of all ages can discover the story of the Dunera boys, including their journey to Australia and their experiences while interned in Orange. Activities include a scavenger hunt and craft activities inspired by the exhibition.
Children aged 6 and over can also attend our creative workshop ‘A License to Print Money’ on Tuesday 24 January. Participants will learn more about the ingenuity of the Dunera boys before designing and printing their own currency.
Showground Sketches, on Wednesday 18 January, is a unique opportunity for children and adults to learn together. This intergenerational drawing workshop, facilitated by illustrator Alex Barnes-Keoghan, will introduce children and their adults to drawing techniques and exercises while reflecting on the artistic legacy and experiences of the Dunera boys while interned at the Orange Showgrounds in 1941. This workshop is designed for adult-child pairs, and children must be aged 8 and over. For full details and to make a booking visit https://orangemuseum.eventbrite.com.au
Orange Aquatic Centre will be offering intensive swimming lessons for levels 1-5, as well as preschool 1 and 2 in all three weeks. In week three, masterclass sessions will run in week 3. This is suitable for students who are levels 5, 6,7 or 8 and will cover all 4 strokes plus dives and starts. The centre is a multi-accredited swim school with Austswim, Swim Australia and Royal Life Saving qualified swim instructors. Private lessons are available by request if we have the space and instructors available. All lessons will take place between 9am-12pm. For more information or to make a booking, send an email to [email protected]
Orange Youth Hub has a busy schedule, where young people from the age of 12 can hang out at the centre located in Garema Road. From Christmas baking to cartoon art mural and Wellington Caves field trip, there is an activity for everyone this summer. The Youth hub will be open from 12pm to 8pm each weekday during school holidays. Registration is essential and can be made by emailing [email protected] or by phone 0428 512 070.
Council’s Youth Services also has plenty of activities at the Orange Aquatic Centre. From inflatable obstacle course to a basketball competition and skateboard painting workshop, children will be sure to be kept busy.
Orange Regional Gallery will run a series of colourful creative workshops inspired by their current exhibitions Idris Murphy: Backblocks and Martin Coyte: Before you know.
Young artists can enjoy a mini tour of the exhibitions followed by a range of fun hands-on workshops designed to encourage creative thinking and the exploration of new techniques. On Wednesday 18 January and Thursday 19 January between 10am and 1pm families can visit the Gallery (West Room) for free drop-in and make sessions inspired by trees. Bookings are required for all sessions. Please check the What’s On page of the Gallery’s website for details https://www.orange.nsw.gov.au/gallery/whats-on/
