Escape the ordinary these holidays

THIS Easter looks to be egg-citing for young people with lots of school holiday activities on offer across the Golden Plains Shire.

A program from the municipality’s youth staff will aim to engage 12 to 25 year olds from Wednesday, 12 to Friday, 21 April, and provide safe spaces for them to learn, while forming connections with others.

Meanwhile, the Bannockburn Library will be getting into the spirit of the theme, ‘escape the ordinary,’ with events including a dress-up Mad Hatter’s Tea Party full of games and crafts, and creative crazy creature sessions for children over five.

Geelong Regional Libraries’ CEO Vanessa Schernickau said the programming is all about having fun, making friends, developing new skills, and encouraging positive relationships with literacy.

“The library is a safe and inclusive space, everyone is welcome to pop in over the school holidays whether for a session or just to browse, relax, game or hang out,” she said.

“Not only do our school holiday programs foster a lifelong love of reading, but we also offer programs that promote digital literacy, from learning how to use green screen technology to coding and robotics.”

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Brett Cunningham said the municipality’s program of events includes a diverse range of activities from marble runs to lawn bowls, and yoga.

“School holiday activities are an excellent opportunity for Golden Plains youth to get out and about in the community and connect with other likeminded young people from within the Shire,” he said.

“With something for everyone, the free activities range from skate sessions… to employment and pathways training, to equip young people with professional skills for the future.”

VEX Robotics, a Youth Hub drop-in, tie dying, a movie night, and more are on the program, with events to be held across Corindhap, Bannockburn, Inverleigh, and Rokewood.

Visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au or grlc.vic.gov.au for more information.