Have fun in the summer sun!

FOLLOWING the festive season there is now lots of time to get stuck into activities on offer this summer in and around Bendigo! 

Summer in the Parks  

There is a range of free events happening as part of the Summer in the Parks program run by the City of Greater Bendigo and community groups.  

This includes Music in the Mall events at Hargreaves Mall throughout the month from 11am to 3pm, on 5, 6, 11, 12, 18, and 19 January. 

You can also catch the film Blueback at the Fosterville Gold Mines’ Movie in the Park event at Goornong Recreation Reserve from 6pm to 8pm on 12 January, and/or Cats in the Museum at Cooinda Park in Golden Square from 6pm to 8pm on 19 January.  

Summer in the Parks will also feature a Community Farmers’ Market from 11am to 3pm on 18 January at Dai Gum San.  

Learning something new 

Programs at the Discovery Centre could be a great way to keep the kids engaged. 

Media coordinator at the Discovery Centre, Justin McPhail, said there are a range of activities to get stuck in over the school holidays before the centre will close for maintenance in February. 

“We have things like Carriberrie playing, basically summer is all about the school holidays, so we have the special science show happening every day, a new planetarium presentation that’s been made specifically for that,” he said. 

“It basically talks about how water got to earth and how important it is, and the journey of life across the universe from the origins including the big bang and surrounding planets and all that sort of stuff.” 

Mr McPhail said the Splish Splash science show includes some interactive science experiments and will run until 29 January. 

Take a tram ride 

Bendigo Tramways Talking Tram is running Twilight services until 7 January. 

Marketing and events manager at the company, Tynille Thurlow, said the services involve an extension of its closing hours from 5pm to 9pm to allow people to make the most of the experience. 

“The Vintage Talking Tram tour will be running from 10am in the morning through to 9pm at night,” she said. 

“Which will give people the opportunity while they’re on holidays to make the most of trams to either hop on and hop off, to use it as a transport system, or sit back and enjoy the ride, just do the one-hour round trip. 

“So, you could catch a tram to dinner in town, take a walk around Rossy Park or Lake Weeroona, and just enjoy the tram ride.” 

Arts and culture 

Bendigo is known for its arts scene and here are several unmissable displays around town this month.  

The Bendigo Art Gallery has its Essays on Earth exhibition by Brodie Ellis, Paul Kane and John Wolseley on until 14 January, depicting artistic impressions on the natural world.  

You can also check out the Strength in Stories exhibition at Djaa Djuwima any day of the week, to learn more about art by First Nations men, brotherboys, and youth. The centre will be open every day from 9am to 5pm.  

If you haven’t already, check out Heathcote Winery Gallery’s exhibition by Seymour and District Art Society, on until Tuesday 9 January, anytime from 11am to 5pm. 

Options for cooling off 

The City of Greater Bendigo has many aquatic facilities including pools and a splash park in Long Gully. 

Of the 12, many seasonal centres, all of which, except Faith Leech Aquatic Centre, will only open if the temperature is at or above 22 degrees the day before. 

For more information on the different pools visit the City of Greater Bendigo’s website.