What's On - Children & Family Events - Archives

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Royal Exhibition Building Archaeology Project Open Day
Venue	Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens
Date	Saturday 14 November
Time	10am to 3pm
Fee	FREE
The Open Day will offer the public the opportunity to walk through a real-life archaeological dig and meet the experts involved in the project. Visitors will also get the chance to see artefacts uncovered from the dig. The archaeological dig is the first phase of a major project to restore gardens to the western forecourt of the Royal Exhibition Building, an area that until very recently was an unsightly asphalt car park. Funded by the Victorian Government, this three phase project, which began in October, will include the installation of an extensive water harvesting and storage system, including a 900,000 litre underground water tank, which will ensure a sustainable future for this much-loved Melbourne landmark. In the final phase, gardens and landscaping based on the original 1880s design will be restored to this important World Heritage site. The archaeological exploration of the site currently underway will search for traces of the historic garden beds and other original features. The dig, which is being conducted in partnership with Godden Mackay Logan (GML) and La Trobe University, will include analysis of soil for traces of seeds and pollen that will help identify plants that might have been part of the original nineteenth century garden design.

The Australian Ballet School: Fabulous Fairy and Friends Day
Venue	Como Historic House and Garden: Williams Road, South Yarra
Date	Sunday 15 November
Time	10am - 3pm
Fee	$50 - Family of 4 $15 - Single entry Children under 4 free
Book	Fabulousfairyday.com.au

Wacky Talent Show: What's Your Wacky Talent?
Venue	Highpoint Shopping Centre in Melbourne
Date	Saturday 14 November
Time	Heat 1 begins at 11am and Miranda Cosgrove live on stage from 12 noon
Hosted by Luke and Wyatt from Nick's The Go Show! Meet special guest star Miranda Cosgrove! -Register on the day from 10.30am & you could be selected to perform your wacky talent on stage, Level 2 outside in Homelane next to Villa & Hut. -Performers must be aged 5-15 years -All performers will receive an iCarly bag of goodies & the winner will take home a $100 Target Gift Voucher!

The annual Santa Parade - featuring Yo Gabba Gabba, Ben 10 and live reindeers!
Venue	Highpoint Shopping Centre in Melbourne
Date	Friday 13 November
Time	6.30pm
Along with: Jeremy the 'Toys R US' Giraffe, Bearemy from Build-a-Bear, the Mad Hatter from the Pancake Parlour, the Nando's Chicken, the Crazy John mascot and of course Santa's helpers!

Australian Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
Venue	Hisense Arena in Melbourne or broadcast nationally on Nickelodeon
Date	Melbourne on Friday 13th November
Time	from 7.00pm
To mark the countdown to the big night, Melbourne's iconic Flinders Street Station was 'slimed' by light projection last Friday night, delighting onlookers and making the nightly news. For those in Melbourne who missed it, the sliming effect will be switched on every night this week at 8.30pm until Friday, building the excitement right up till the big day!

Family Endeavour Adventure
Venue	Australian National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour
Date	Saturday 7 November
Time	6 pm - 8 pm
Fee	$25 per person or $50 families (2 adults + 2 children). Price includes sausage sizzle dinner before guided tour. Children must be aged 7 years or older to take part.
Book	Bookings essential, call 02 9298 3655.
Step back in time for an 18th century tall ship adventure with the National Maritime Museum's Family Endeavour Adventure from 6 pm to 8 pm on Saturday 7 November. Bring the family to experience a special evening at the museum's wharf aboard the full-scale replica of Captain Cook's HMB Endeavour - 18th century sailors dress encouraged! Ableseaman Antonio Ponto (actor John Lamzies) - one of two Italians in Cook's original crew - will lead the children on a personally guided tour of the ship above deck and below where they'll learn all about Cook's voyage charting the east coast of Australia. Kids will find out more about the living conditions Cook and his crew experienced... from what they ate to how they slept as they wander through the galley, the sailors' mess, the officers' and gentlemens' cabins, and finally the Great Cabin. Antonio will also demonstrate some of the more interesting tasks performed by the crew... including emptying a chamberpot and scrubbing the deck. Parents however won't miss out with the museum's volunteer guides on hand to take them through the ship too.

World Picnic Day
Venue	Newington Armory, Sydney Olympic Park
Date	Sunday 15 November 2009
Time	11am to 3pm
Fee	FREE
The aim of World Picnic Day is to build awareness of the Parklands Foundation with a fun family event that offers, activities for the young and old, music and dancing, roving entertainment, arts & crafts and kite making, old fashion family picnic games like the three legged race and sack jumping competitions, railway heritage discovery tours, jumping castles and tons more! Try your hand at different sports within the parklands, from Soccer Fit to Oztag or maybe some circus tricks. World Picnic Day is a fun day for families to come together and enjoy the parklands at Sydney Olympic Park and for everyone - families, kids, walkers, joggers and local residents - to discover the diverse parklands of Sydney Olympic Park from the Ring Walk to the wetlands to the playgrounds of Wentworth Common.

Face The Music - The Musician's Conference
Venue	the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Date	Saturday 31 October
Time	11am - 5pm (Registrations from 10am)
Book	$20 inc bf from Theartscentre.com.au, 1300 182 183, the Arts Centre Box Office
Face The Music 09 will provide musicians and music industry professionals with a range of career development and networking opportunities in a full day of interactive panel discussions, keynote presentations, one-on-one artist development interviews and practical workshops Sessions will explore songwriting, self-management, audience development, publishing, touring, release management, recording, grants, distribution and much more. This non-profit event is made possible by the contribution of over 60 music industry professionals, including high profile artists, booking agents, publishers, record label directors, music lawyers, publicists and artist managers, including Paul Dempsey, Drew Goddard (Karnivool), Steph Hughes and Lindsay Mcdougall (triple j), David Peacock (Shock Records), Megan Washington (Washington), Sam Cameron (Beat Broker), Charles Jenkins, Jen Cloher and Pez, amongst others.

HI-5 at BIGW
Date	Thursday 8th Oct - Saturday 10th Oct
Time	from 1pm
Come and join the party with your HI-5 friends! Be one of the first to meet the brand new Hi-5 cast; Casey, Fely, Lauren, Steive and Tim when they head down to BIG W to meet their fans! Hi-5 will be signing copies of their new dvd Fun with Friends. Thursday 8th Oct - BIGW Liverpool Store, Westfield Liverpool, Macquarie St Friday 9th Oct- BIGW Wetherill Park Store, Cnr Polding and Restwell St, Wetherill Park Saturday 10th Oct- BIG W Penrith Store, High Street, Penrith

2009 Victorian Model Solar Vehicle Challenge
Venue	Scienceworks 2 Booker Street Spotswood
Date	October 17 and 18
Time	10am - 4.30pm
Almost 2000 students from across Victoria will converge on Scienceworks to race solar-powered cars and boats in the 2009 Victorian Model Solar Vehicle Challenge held on October 17 and 18. With the chance to compete at the National Finals in November, teams from up to 60 schools from across the state have spent months preparing their models for the annual competition. The event, which began in 1990, encourages young people to explore the potential of solar energy through the construction of working models and boasts some of the finest achievements in technology and science of Victorian school children. There are a number of categories listed for the day including student designed cars, kit cars and boats. The solar car models will compete on a specially built 100m figure 8 track, the kit cars in a 'pursuit' around an oval track and the solar boats will race in a purpose built 10-metre pool.

Mr. Thing
Date	Fri 16th-Sat 24th October
Mr. Thing: Former Scratch Pervert & World DMC Champ Mr. Thing touring Oz in October BBE and Mr. Thing have known each other for over 10 years and it was just natural that this collaboration had to happen. The result is Strange Breaks and Mr. Thing a five part ultimate breaks and beats series and a homage to the popular Strange Games Series on the label. Mr. Thing will be touring Australia launching the CD in October. Fri 16th- Perth @ The Funk Club (early set) / The Manor (late set) Sat 17th - Melbourne @ Revolver Sun 18th - Brisbane @ Family Fri 23rd - Sydney @ Melt Sat 24th - Katoomba @ Gearin Hotel

Fire- Bangarra Dance Theatre
Date	6 - 14 November
Time	Tue - Sat 8pm, matinee Wed 11 Nov & Sat 14 Nov 2pm
Fee	$48 - $65
Book	1300 182 183
After a sell-out tour of Europe and a visit to Arnhem Land, Australia's most successful Indigenous dance company, the critically acclaimed Bangarra Dance Theatre will celebrate its 20th Anniversary with a retrospective work called Fire. Artistic Director Stephen Page has created work that will feature the most memorable and compelling elements of the company's repertoire during its extraordinary 20-year journey. The work traces Bangarra from its modest beginnings to its current status as an enormously respected and lauded dance company around the world.

School Holiday Cupcake Fun!
Date	Tuesday's and Wednesday's for the school holidays
Time	9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm
Book	02 9361 6617
It's that time of year again, school holidays, and kids love getting invovled in the kitchen! Why not enrol your kids for one of Sweet Art's holiday courses? Parents and grandparents are welcome to come along... and the best treat of all is that you can take your decorated cake or cupcake home with you!

Shutter Up You Face
Venue	Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton
Date	Until 25 October 2009
Fee	Adults $8, children and concessions FREE
Book	For further information visit museumvictoria.com.au or phone 13 11 02.
A competition in conjunction with Melbourne Museum's blockbuster exhibition A Day in Pompeii asked Melbournians to take photographs of what they think makes Melbourne Italian. The top entries go on display at the Museum until 25 October. The Museum received nearly 200 entries that reveal the ways in which Italian culture is embedded in the rich fabric of Melbourne life through food and dining, design and language. The winning photograph, 'Gelato' by Amy Calton of Northcote, captures a scene that is familiar to many Melburnians: people enjoying gelati in warm sunshine. Italians have been part of Melburnian life since the early days of settlement. Hundreds were lured to Victoria in the 1850s gold rushes, and a century later, tens of thousands arrived in Melbourne to start a new life after World War II. Today they are the second-largest immigrant community in Victoria after the English, with nearly one in ten Melburnians either born in Italy or having Italian parents. Take a closer look at the impact of Italian culture on Melbourne at the exhibition.

This Week at ACMI
Date	October 7 - 13, 2009
Len Lye Until Sunday 11 October, Open daily 10am - 6pm Free admission, Gallery 1 Exploding with kaleidoscopic colour and pulsing with rhythmic beats, this exhibition is the largest survey of Len Lye's work ever presented. Seniors' Film Festival Sunday 4 October - Friday 9 October, All tickets $3 This year's festival has assembled a bumper crop of local and international musicals, comedies and dramas for you to enjoy. Camino M: Fri 9 Oct 2.30pm Based on true events surrounding calls for the canonization of a Catholic schoolgirl in Spain, this extraordinary film focuses on a brave young girl struck down with an aggressive form of cancer and her imaginative and spiritual quest to reconcile her fate. First Look: Del Extasis Al Arrebato (from ecstasy to ourburst) Thursday 1 October 1 - Sunday 11 October To coincide with the closing of the Len Lye exhibition, ACMI brings to the screen, the recently curated Del Extasis Al Arrebato by the Centre de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona (CCCB). This expansive six-program retrospective covers groundbreaking Spanish cinema from the late 1950s to the present day. Enraptured unclassified 18+: Fri 9 Oct 7pm Ivan Zulueta's masterpiece delves into a series of themes that preoccupied him since childhood and combines many of the techniques from his previous Super 8 shorts Long Play the Good, The Bad and The Weird: MA 15+ Thursday 1 October - Tuesday 20 October A hit at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, Kim Jee-woon's staggeringly funny and fast paced spin on the spaghetti western follows a trio of bandits on what begins as a hunt for treasure, and ends up being a hunt for each other across the plains of 1930's Manchuria.

eGames Expo
Venue	Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, Victoria
Date	October 30 - November 1 2009
Book	idef.com.au

Jamberoo Action Park
Venue	Jamberoo Action Park: 1215 Jamberoo Road, Jamberoo NSW 2534
Time	10am-5pm
Fee	Admission covers all rides: Adults (13+) $37, Children (4-12) $29. Children under 3- FREE
Book	Jamberoo.net
If you book your Jamberoo tickets online you will recieve a FREE Souvienir Park Photo from your visit, this offer is only valid in October 2009. If you book a group in October, the organiser will receive two FREE tickets that they can use later in the season.

Do It For Real
Date	Week 1: Tuesday 6th October to Friday 9th October Week 2: Tuesday 13th October to Friday 16th October
Fee	The 4day programs cost $390.00 per student
Book	Bigmusic.com.au
Big Music, the revolutionary new music tuition and retail experience in Crows Nest is plugging in the amps for Holiday Rock Skool, the ultimate rock band jam session for junior performers. Holiday Rock Skool is a unique four-day musical experience where kids can become part of a rock band and be coached in their instrument of choice- guitar, bass, drums, voice or keyboard - alongside fellow performers of a similar age and experience level. There are two programs to choose from: The Band Program - suitable for intermediate to advanced players, the Band Program places kids in a real Rock Band with an experienced coach, they choose the songs they want to play, rehearse and learn about stagecraft as they prepare for an end of week performance in front of family and friends. The Ultimate Rock Experience - suitable for kids of all ages and musical abilities, the Ultimate Rock Experience gives kids the chance to try out all the major instruments in a rock band (drums, bass, guitar, vocals) under the guidance of experienced coaches as well as learning how to record and mix music using Garageband, and more.

Sydney World Masters Games
Date	from October 10 to 18th 2009
Reg Trewin is thrilled to have been officially recognised as the oldest competitor in next month's 2009 Sydney World Masters Games, Reg won't be sitting in the stands (with or without rug) watching on. He'll be taking to the Bowling Green in the 60 and over Mixed Pairs category with his newfound partner, 63 year old Helene Harris... and Reg thinks they're in with a good chance of bringing home a medal! Double Drummer (DD) is supporting Reg Trewin. DD is an online community of active people tasked with helping Games entrants to find playing partners or team members so that they can participate in the world’s largest multi-sports event. Around 30,000 athletes over the age of 30 from all around the world will meet in Sydney from October 10 to 18 to compete in 28 separate sports. So far DD has matched around 250 competitors with partners.

Go 'Luney' for Ali Baba at Luna Park Sydney
Venue	Luna Park, Sydney
Date	October School Holidays
Time	Sun-Thurs 10am-6pm. Fri & Sat 10am-11pm.
Fee	NEW reduced price for Unlimited Rides Passes: Lunaparksydney.com
Grant your kids their wish these October School Holidays with a magical fun-filled adventure at Luna Park, Sydney. Exclusively from 2nd to 19th October, Ali Baba floats into Luna Park and is set to thrill! Brand new to Luna Park, this family friendly attraction takes its passengers on a magic carpet ride up high for a sky view of the park before a hair-raising drop back down to earth again.

Kids at Oceanworld
Venue	Oceanworld: West Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095
Date	October 2009
DAILY Kids at Oceanworld activities, throughout the holidays include: -Reptile Nursery Show: 12:00 noon -Baby marine animal education talk: 2:30pm -Pirate treasure hunt: all day long -Meet our visiting pirates and mermaids: 10:30am & 1:00pm -Mermaid or pirate craft-making and much more!

Week at ACMI
Venue	Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) - Federation Square
Date	23 - 29 September, 2009
Len Lye: An artist in perpetual motion Free admission Open daily 10am-6pm Arthur and Corinne Cantrill's Three-colour Films unclassified 18+ Sat 26 Sep 4pm Kids Flicks: Smart films for smart kids Sundays and School Holidays $5 Earth G Extraordinary camerawork captures a year in the life of our planet, beginning in the Arctic as a polar bear and her cubs emerge from hibernation. School Holiday Sessions: Spooky Animated Kids' Flicks Classics G Freaky Fridays: Fridays 10pm Full $13, Concession $10

Screen Worlds: The story of film, television and digital culture
Venue	Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) - Federation Square
Date	from Sunday 20 September
Book	acmi.net.au
Screen Worlds: The Story of Film, Television and Digital Culture is a unique, interactive and immersive exhibition charting the past, present and future of the moving image. Within core themes, Emergence, Voices, and Sensation, it dynamically illustrates how each form of the moving image has emerged as a powerful creative medium. Visitors can follow the development of the moving image, and discover the significant contribution of Australians to its story. They can engage with spectacular immersive exhibits, play classic and contemporary videogames and celebrate the lives of prominent Australian film and television personalities and see their treasures.

Canterbury Twilight Market for Playstation Occasional Care
Venue	190A Canterbury Rd, Canterbury VIC 3126
Date	Friday October 23
Time	7pm to 10pm
Fee	Entry is $5 with a complimentary glass of bubbles and a ticket for the Lucky Prize Draw.
All proceeds from the market go to Playstation is a small Occasional Care Centre in Canterbury (Vic). It is a lifeline for so many families, who live in Canterbury, Camberwell, Hawthorn, Mont Albert, Kew, Balwyn, Surrey Hills, Burwood and surrounding suburbs. It provides much needed 'time out' for parents in a caring environment. Importantly Playstation is not funded by the Government, and relies hugely upon it's fundraising to enable staff to purchase supplies and new equipment as well as fund maintenance works. Guests are invited to enjoy a glass of bubbles and be inspired with gift ideas for upcoming special occasions and Christmas while they treat themselves to a delightfully relaxed evening of shopping. First time stall holders unique to our market include Crystal Pips and Alice, Bon Remede skincare, Sarah Black Photography, Botanical Home and Okah Skincare. Much loved favourites include - Diana Platt Design, Cosse Hand made soaps, Knuffle Kid, mmiKids children swear and Spinning Pretty.

Face the Music
Venue	the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Date	Saturday 31 October
Time	11am - 5pm
Fee	$20 inc bf
Book	theartscentre.com.au, 1300 182 183, the Arts Centre Box Office
FACE THE MUSIC 09 will feature representatives from Triple J and Beat Magazine; Shock, Rubber, Obese, Boomtown and Sandcastle Records; local businesses Staple Group, Destroy All Lines, Lunatic Entertainment (Laneway Festival), Premier Artists, Pan Studio, Teclo and Contemporary Music Services Tasmania; music industry associations including John Butler's JB Seed Project, APRA, AIR, Victoria Rocks, Arts Law Centre of Australia, VROOM and Association of Artist Managers; plus musicians Charles Jenkins, Jen Cloher and The Little Stevies; producers David Carr, Forrester Savell and Jimi Maroudas, plus more to be announced.

A Night in Fantasia 2009
Venue	Sydney Entertainment Centre. 35 Harbour Street, Darling Harbour
Date	Saturday 26 September, 2009
Time	6.00pm (doors open at 5.00pm)
Fee	A Reserve: 95.00, B Reserve: $85.00, C Reserve: $75.00
Book	1300 883 662, visit Ticketmaster.com.au
While the new animated movie Astro Boy will launch in cinemas in late October, the Eminence Symphony Orchestra is preparing to fanfare the arrival of the long awaited blockbuster by performing the entire Astro Boy score - the one we all know and love - at A Night in Fantasia 2009. A Night in Fantasia 2009 will also feature a host of international special guests - Steve Jablonsky, composer of the musical score for Transformers 2 the movie, Inon Zur (Crysis, Prince of Persia and Fallout 3); Cris Velasco (Starcraft II and God of War); Wataru Hokoyama (AFRIKA and Resident Evil 5); Go Shiina (Tales of Legendia and Tekken: Dark Resurrection); Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Chross and Xenosaga); Kow Otani (Godzilla series, Shadow of the Colossus); Chiaki Takahashi, singer for The Idolm@ster, model and actress and the celebrated singer Aubrey Ashburn.

Stringybark: Suburban Sustainability Festival
Venue	Rowville Community Centre Reserve. Fulham Road, Rowville (Mel ref: 81 K1)
Date	Saturday & Sunday 17-18 October 2009
Time	9am - 5pm
Fee	Adults $2, Children $1, Family $5 or Ride your bike or use public transport and get in for free
Book	Knox.vic.gov.au
USE LESS - WASTE LESS - PAY LESS - LIVE SMARTER Knox City Council's Stringybark Festival is Australia's longest running sustainability festival. For 25 years Stringybark has lead the way in showcasing exciting and enjoyable ways for the community to live more sustainably and save money. This year we will be offering even more! Stringybark is a also a great day out for the whole family with live music, fun activities and workshops for all ages, a huge chill out chai tent to lounge in, extensive markets, fairground, food and drink, plus the award winning adventure playground. All this whilst showcasing how to reduce our impact on the environment through small, cheap and easily achievable steps. -Sustainability zones of advice, activities, workshops & more -Family fun with fairground and roving performers -Fair Trade / Organic / Ethical Market Area -Alternatively powered live music and entertainment -Cooking demonstrations -Inter-schools/clubs competitions -Fabulous foods and drink -Local arts and crafts

What's on at IMAX Melbourne Museum
Venue	IMAX Melbourne Museum, Rathdowne Street, Carlton.
Date	September School Holidays 2009
Time	Films screen daily from 10.00am.
Book	For session times visit Imaxmelbourne.com.au or call 03 9663 5454
Kids Come FREE This is the ultimate school holidays offer to go ape about! For a limited time you can treat the kids to a free IMAX movie when accompanied by a full priced paying adult. One free child per adult. Family Favourites Back for the School Holidays These school holidays re-live the hilarious out-of-this-world animation Monsters Vs Aliens 3D and join Ben Stiller on a new museum adventure in Night at the Museum 2: Battle at the Smithsonian. Date: September 19 + 20 until October 11 Star Trek: The IMAX Experience to be Re-released Back by popular demand, Star Trek, is set to be re-released at IMAX Melbourne Museum for a limited time only. Date: 18 September Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: The IMAX Experience Don't miss the chance to see the sixth instalment of the popular J.K Rowling Harry Potter series in IMAX. Date: Now Showing Regular IMAX Films Now Showing Enjoy a huge line-up of exciting films guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained. Go swimming with Great White sharks in Under the Sea 3D, go on safari through the Okavango Delta with African Adventure 3D, jet off to space in Fly me to the Moon 3D and be taken back in time to prehistoric existence with Dinosaurs 3D-you choose the adventure!

What's On at Scienceworks
Venue	Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood. (Melway 56, B1).
Date	September to October 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 4.30pm
Fee	Adults $8, Children and Concession FREE
Book	03 9392 4800 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination Date: Until 3 November 2009 Cost: $18 Adults, $8 Concession, $6 Children (includes entry to Scienceworks) Pre-purchase tickets to avoid disappointment. Spring School Holiday Program 19 September - 4 October Join the space race at Scienceworks these school holidays! Make a flying rocket, invent an alien or head out on an astro-adventure as part of the special program of activities running throughout the spring school holidays. Model Solar Vehicle Challenge - Victorian state final Join school teams as they race their model boats and cars to see who is the 'fastest under the Sun'. Date: 17 and 18 October 2009 Mini Car 50th Anniversary Display Celebrate the Mini's 50th anniversary and see Museum Victoria's own 1964 998cc Morris Mini Cooper. Date: Until 25 October 2009 Cost: Included with Scienceworks admission Children's Week Machines in Action Day Celebrate Children’s Week with Machines in Action Day. Ride on a model steam train and see historic vehicles in action. Items on display include the Cowley Steam Traction Engine, the only working Australian made traction engine in the world, along with the KL Bulldog Tractor and other historic machinery on parade. Date: Sunday 25 October Cost: Included with Scienceworks admission Mathamazing Explore the mathematics behind everyday life. Mathamazing includes hands-on activities based on topics such as shapes, probability, sequences and series, puzzles, problem solving, topology and building. Date: Until 6 December Cost: Included with Scienceworks admission

Applications close soon for 2010 Raffles College scholarships
Date	Applications close on September 30, 2009
Fee	The scholarships are valued at $55,540 for full tuition fees and $27,770 for half tuition fees.
Book	Raffles.edu.au.
Raffles College of Design and Commerce in North Sydney specialises in programs in Design, Visual Communication and Commerce (from Certificate to Masters level). Study specialisations include: Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing, Games Design, Animation, Moving Image (TV & Film), Graphic Design, Interior Design, Multimedia Design, Photography, Design Management, Marketing, Tourism, Finance, Hospitality and Management. Applications for scholarships to study at Raffles College of Design and Commerce next year close at the end of this month. Potential students need to get their applications in by September 30 for the opportunity to win one of six scholarships to study Commerce, Design or Arts degrees in 2010. This is the first time five of the six scholarships have been offered. They include one full-fee and one half-fee scholarship for each of Raffles College's Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design and Bachelor of Arts (Visual Communication) degrees.

What's On at ACMI
Date	SEPTEMBER 16 - 22
Screen Worlds: Permanent Exhibition open daily from Sunday 20 September 10am - 6pm: Free ACMI Open Day Sunday 20 September 10am - 6pm: Free ACMI Exhibitions Len Lye ACMI Focus on Australian Noir Australian Perspectives: Marinetti + post-screening discussion Freaky Fridays: Dead Kids aka Strange Behavior Kids' Flicks: Earth Seniors' Cinema: An American in Paris ACMI School Holiday Spooky Animated Kids' Flicks Classics Twilight The Little Vampire Kids in the Studio: Make a spooky movie!

PNC Bazooka Kid
Date	Thursday 17th Sept-Sat 19th Sept
On his sophomore effort PNC uses synth-based beats with a more retro '80s feel writing hooks and melodies to the music as opposed to straight rapping. He has made an album which doesn't so much rewrite the NZ Hip Hop rule book as turn a blowtorch on it. The album features an all star line up of guests including P-Money, Che Fu, David Dallas, Tyra Hammond, Chong Nee and more. Catch PNC & DJ Penfold launching 'Bazooka Kid' at the following shows: Thursday 17th Sept - The Esplanade, Melbourne Fri 18th Sept - Bondi Beach Road Hotel (early set) / Melt (late set), Sydney Sat 19th Sept - The Church, Brisbane

2009 eGames Expo
Venue	Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
Date	October 30 - November 1 2009
Book	idef.com.au
Attracting visitors from across Australia, the 2009 eGames Expo will provide a unique opportunity for visitors to see, try and buy some of the latest and yet to be released products on the market. Introducing to a new market, the eGames Expo is an ideal platform for a new audience of game players looking to discover what's going on in the world of video games. For the competitive gamer, head-to-head challenges and activities in the designated competition areas will enable gamers to test their skills against some of the best eGames players in the industry. This year will feature the inaugural eGames Masters, a national eSport competition designed to introduce the general public to the serious world of game play. For those keen to discuss the latest advances, industry experts will be on standby for one-on-one discussions about all the latest technology and products. Visitors to eGames will also have the opportunity to purchase some the latest products from retailers such as Madman (voted Australia's best independent distributor), Mittoni, and Transreality as well as access to specialist retailers such as Gamerz Bunker, who specialise in sourcing extremely rare and hard-to-find products. Defined features such as the 'Kids Zone' ensure there is something for every playing level and a huge number of prizes up for grabs.

5th annual Festival of Cycling
Venue	Sydney Olympic Park
Date	26-27 September
Fee	FREE
Book	Festivalofcycling.com.au
Sydneysiders will be spoiled for choice when Sydney Olympic Park presents a jam-packed weekend line-up of springtime entertainment on Saturday September 26 and Sunday September 27. From the 5th annual Festival of Cycling to loads of FREE and good-value activities at Newington Armory, Sydney Olympic Park is bound to be buzzing with excitement and energy all through the weekend. With a myriad of family-friendly options for sports-lovers, art-lovers, cinema-lovers, nature-lovers and heritage-lovers, highlight activities and events to be held at the Park will include: The 2009 Festival of Cycling A Spring Sunday at Newington Armory and MANY MANY MORE

Chalk Art Festival moves to Parramatta
Venue	Church Street Parramatta
Date	October 29th to November 1st
Now in its 5th year, the Chalk Urban Art Festival is the largest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting more than 40 artists and 120,000 spectators. This year's headline artist, Simon Thomas from Wollongong, who specialises in murals and chalkboards, has been a competing artist since the festival began in 2005. Last year he won the title of Champion Pavement Artist and took home $5,000. The call for artists to compete in the pavement art & body art competitions is now open. Artists are encouraged to apply online at Chalkurbanart.com Entries close September 18.

Jazz Puffing Billy Railway
Venue	Puffing Billy's Belgrave Station
Date	Friday October 9, 2009
Time	Train departs from Puffing Billy's Belgrave station at 7.15pm
Fee	Adults - $95 and Children (under 12) $50 (Includes three-course dinner)
Book	Puffingbilly.com.au
Climb aboard Australia's most famous steam train-Puffing Billy- for a night of fine wine, food and live Jazz. Held as part of the 2009 Dandenong's Garden Festival - Jazz on Puffing Billy Railway will be trumpeting along with live Jazz music, great local wines and a dinner in the historic Nobelius Packing Shed.

Impro Melbourne Public Workshops Term 4
Venue	Parish Hall 52 James Street , Northcote or The Space 318 Chapel Street (cnr Carlton St) Prahran
Date	Tuesdays, Oct 6 - Dec 8 (Nov 3 off) Wednesdays, Oct 7 - Dec 2
Time	7-9pm
Fee	$264 (incl. GST) Full, $220 (incl. GST) Concession
Book	publicworkshops@impromelbourne.com.au or 0417 507 907
Improvisation is fun! It's about freeing one's creative spirit in a positive and safe environment. The courses are designed for adults aged 18 years or older. Each course consists of weekly two-hour sessions run over nine weeks. Our instructors are trained improvisation performers who have been performing and teaching nationally and internationally for over 20 years.

3 weeks to go: 2009 DigiSPAA Competition deadline
Date	Applications close at 5pm on Friday 18 September 2009
All aspiring filmmakers take note! Only three weeks until Friday September 18, the deadline for all films to be submitted for your chance to win the prestigious DigISPAA digital filmmaking competition. This is your chance to win $15,000 cash, $20,000 worth of post-production, a guaranteed screening of their film on the Movie Extra channel, plus a return airfare and free registration to the prestigious CineMart International Film Festival Rotterdam.

What's on at ACMI
Venue	ACMI: Federation Square, Melbourne
Date	September 9-15th
Len Lye Thursday 16 July - Sunday 11 October Free admission Open daily 10am-6pm Curated by Alessio Cavallaro and Tyler Cann. Presented by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in collaboration with the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery (New Plymouth, New Zealand), and with the support of the Len Lye Foundation and the New Zealand Film Archive. Sun 13 Sep 2pm Gary Simmons on Movement and Time in Film Cinema time has a remarkable elasticity: speeding up, slowing down and playing with our sensory experience of the world. Taking as our departure point Gilles Deleuze's theories of cinema, Gary Simmons examines the capacity for screen-based media to modify space and time. This kaleidoscopic movement and possibility for multiple temporalities will be explored in a cross-section of films and artworks by the likes of Len Lye, Maya Deren, Ivan Sen, Michel Gondry, the Wachowski Brothers, Stanley Kubrick, the Dardenne Brothers and Richard Kelly. First Look: The Bicycle Thief (Ladri di biciclette) PG Thu 10 Sep - Tue 15 Sep, 6 sessions, Tickets: Full $13, Concession $10 De Sica's masterpiece of Italian neorealist cinema returns to the big screen in a restored print. The story's simplicity and beauty of a father and son traversing the streets of Rome in search of a thief offers a powerful and poignant vision of post-war Europe for viewers of any age. Australian Perspectives: Crooked Business MA15+ Sat 12 Sep 4pm It's bold, ballsy and brassy. Well, what would you expect from a crime caper set on the Gold Coast? This fast-paced thriller by the beach is the directorial debut of writer/director Chris Nyst who penned Gettin' Square. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Nyst and producer Scott Corfield. Freaky Fridays: Turkey Shoot R18+ Fri 11 Sep 10pm Philip Adams notoriously declared Turkey Shoot 'pornographically violent'. With more than a passing nod to the Italian sub-genre of savage, ultra-violent horror flicks, Turkey Shoot follows a group of hapless dissidents unleashed in the Aussie bush and hunted down like 'roos.

Monsters Tour of Destruction - Dapto
Venue	Dapto Showground 89 Princes Highway Dapto New South Wales 2530
Date	Sep 19, 2000
The Monster Trucks at the Dapto Showground is great value family entertainment for all ages. A huge action packed night of high octane thrills featuring Monster Trucks including: Australian Champion Outback Thunda, Warner Bros Batman, Scooby Doo and the all new Taz Monster Trucks. Also the Mystery Machine Jet Van meltdown, human inferno, motorcycle stunts, massive fireworks sky show together with other great stunt acts. At the free Pit Party, meet the drivers and get up close to a Monster Truck.

Frontiers of Science
Venue	ABC foyer, Harris Street Ultimo
Date	August 11 to 28 (weekdays) and all day Saturday August 29
Fee	Entry is free
Forty years ago, space was little more than one big exciting question mark. It was a time when humans were first landing on the moon, the first satellite was being launched and one comic series, Frontiers of Science, was continuously making the front page of major newspapers across Australia. A stunning collection of black and white images from the Frontiers of Science comic strip series will be on display at the ABC as part of the Ultimo Science Festival. For those too young to remember, the facts-based series ran from 1961 to the 1980s in the Sydney Morning Herald and other major newspapers. It explored a different topic each week such as space travel, climate change or world population problems. The comic strip was the result of an unlikely alliance between two men from utterly different worlds. Professor Stuart Butler was a theoretical physicist at the University of Sydney and Bob Raymond was a journalist, writer, filmmaker and executive producer of ABC TV's Four Corners program.

What's On at ACMI
Venue	ACMI Federation Square, Melbourne
Date	July 30- August 5th
Australian Perspectives Sat 1 Aug 4pm The Dish M 2009 marks several significant milestones in astronomy and space travel. It is 400 years since the invention of the telescope, 40 years since man first landed on the moon and it's the International Year of Astronomy to boot. Rob Sitch, 101 mins, Australia, 2000, 35mm. Source: Roadshow Films Kid's Flicks Sun 2 Aug 1pm The Red Balloon + White Mane: The Wild Horse G A little boy is followed by a red balloon with a life of its own in The Red Balloon. In White Mane, a young boy befriends a white stallion fighting for its freedom. Albert Lamorisse, 70 mins, France, 1953 & 1956, 35mm, B&W and Colour, in French with English subtitles. Source: Madman Entertainment

America's Most Wanted! Tony Woods
Venue	Comedy Store Sydney The Entertainment Quarter - Moore Park (Formerly Fox Studios)
Date	Tues 4thth August - Saturday 15th August 2009
Fee	Tues $10.00 (ticket inclusive) Wed $15.00 (ticket inclusive and $3 drinks 6-8pm) Thurs $20.00 (Free Pizza) Friday & Saturday $30 (ticket inclusive)
Book	Comedy Store Sydney Box Office 02 9357 1419 Comedystore.com.au
Tony Woods has a unique and argumentative style of comedy that rings true with thousands of fans worldwide. As one of America's most wanted comedians (and yes that applies to the law as well) he has a strong following in the US, UK, Australia and even Holland despite the fact that he has not updated his MySpace page since Jan 2008! Born in North Carolina and raised in the D.C. area, Woods kicked off his career on HBO'’s Def Comedy Jam and is credited as the inspiration for David Chappelle.

Russian World Australia
Date	11 July - 23 August
SYDNEY 11 July - 23 August Thurs - 6:30pm, Wed-Fri - 8:00pm, Sat- 2:00pm and 8:00pm, Sun - 5:00pm. The Promise by Alexei Arbuzov. Based on the translation by Ariadne Nicolaeff. The Siege of Leningrad, 1942. 31 July - 1 August 8:00pm. Battleship Potemkin. Movie. Sergei Eisenstein's 1925 cinematic masterpiece with music by Shostakovich. 1 August Hurry Up to Kurri Kurri! NSW historical town. The tickets: $50/45 including dinner. Details: 9624 1143 or 0412 795 292. 7 August Debutante Ball in Alexander Nevsky's Russian School of Homebush. Bookings: Nadejda Lavrova (02) 4262 5318 0431 552 534 15 August - 19 August The Kursk by Sasha Janowicz. The extraordinary and true human story behind the ill-fated submarine, the Kursk. 16 August 5:00pm. Miss Russian Speaking Australia 2009. Beauty contest. Association of Russian Speaking Women in Australia (ARSWA) invites you to their yearly Miss Russian Speaking Australia 2009. Call: 02 8065 8284

India Australia Friendship Fair
Venue	Athletic Centre, Sydney Olympic Park
Date	Sunday 9 August
Time	10am - 8pm
Fee	$5 per person
Kamahl and Tania Zaetta continue to support the event, alongside Indian celebrity singer Mano, local singers and dancers and fashion parades. Visitors will also enjoy a range of Indian cuisine, clothing stalls, camel rides, face painting, carnival rides and a host of other cultural displays.

Panther
Venue	Arts House, Meat Market: 5 Blackwood St, North Melbourne
Date	Thu 13 - Sat 15 August
Time	Thu - Fri 6.15pm, 7.15pm and 9.15pm Sat 4.15pm, 6.15pm, 7.15pm and 9.15pm
Fee	$20
Book	artshouse.com.au or 03 9639 0096, capacity is limited, bookings essential
In a land far away, on a dark stormy night, in the middle of the cobble-stoned floor of the Arts House Meat Market, Panther have constructed a playground. In Playground, a new world order, small groups are invited to join Panther on an adventure. Lives will be lived, friends lost and heroic deeds played out in a dark re-enactment of tales that we have told ourselves many times before. In this world that contains many worlds, summoned from childhood memories of tan bark, tepees and tyre swings, we will play a game in which the playground can become any number of places with lightning speed.

ASG Inspirational Teaching Awards
Venue	neita.com.au, 1800 624 487 or email neita@asg.com.au
Date	nominations close on Friday 31 July 2009.
Education continues to rank highly on the nation's agenda because it impacts on so many aspects of our lives, but often one of the biggest parts of the education spectrum is overlooked-hard-working,inspirational teachers. Nominating a teacher, principal, or director for the ASG Inspirational Teaching Awards through the NEiTA teaching awards program, provides parents, school and early childhood communities with a unique opportunity to say thank you to an outstanding and hard-working teacher. Why you should nominate? -Nominating a teacher for an award is a celebration for the whole school and early childhood community. -Nominations keep the focus on high standards of education in our schools and centres. -Grants and prizes promote professional development. -Great teachers change the future today and they deserve recognition. Who can nominate? Parents, school and early childhood communities can nominate through their School Council, Committee of Management, Parent Association, or Secondary Student Council. Parents can also nominate teachers and school leaders independently.

Melbourne Museum and Scienceworks: National Science Week
Date	15 - 23 August 2009
Book	museumvictoria.com.au or phone 13 11 02.
MELBOURNE MUSEUM Inspiring Scientists Biology? Paleontology? Find out about your favourite 'ology' by chatting to inspiring career scientists. Date: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August Time: 11.00 to 4.00pm Behind the Scenes tour View fascinating objects from Museum Victoria's science collection that have not been on public display. See deep sea fish, unusual crystals, ancient fossils and more in this rare opportunity to tour some of Museum Victoria's science collection. Date: Saturday 15 August Time: 11.00am, 12.00pm, 2.00pm & 3.30pm Bring in a... Ever come across something while bushwalking or gardening that has stumped you completely? Bring in a bug, bone, fossil or feather that you have found and make use of Museum Victoria's expertise and free identification services at the Discovery Centre, Melbourne Museum. Date: Saturday 15 August Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm Walking with Dinosaurs Look out for the dinosaur puppets that roam the galleries of the Melbourne Museum. Beware - who knows when they will be right behind you! Date: Saturday 15 August Make a Dino Mask Make your own Styracosaurus mask and wander through the Dinosaur Walk amongst some of the other fierce-looking armoured dinosaurs. Date: Saturday 15 August Time: 11.00am to 3.00pm Meet the Expert Come along and meet a museum curator, scientist or researcher. Find out about their exciting work and the latest research at Museum Victoria. Date: Saturday 15 August Time: 11.15am, 11.45am, 12.15pm, 12.45pm, 1.15pm, 1.45pm, 2.15pm & 2.45pm SCINEMA In National Science Week 2009 we invite you to discover the talent across Australia with SCINEMA - exploring science through film. Sit back and relax with SCINEMA in the Discovery Centre and find out about all things science and the great Science Week events in the coming week. Date: Saturday 15 August and Sunday 23 August (Scienceworks only) SCIENCEWORKS Discover the Night Sky: Milky Way Galaxy We are just one planet, orbiting one star, among the 400 billion-odd stars of our Milky Way Galaxy. It is truly magnificent; a swirling mass of stars, gas and dust. But what do we know of our home galaxy? And how did we come to discover it? Evening includes a planetarium experience, complimentary wine and cheese and stargaze through telescopes (weather permitting). Date: Thursday 20 August Note: Discover the Night Sky lectures also run Thursday 6, 13 and 27 August Time: 7.00pm Cost: $25 BASF Kids' Lab Experience the fascinating world of chemistry! Run by BASF chemists, the chemistry workshops introduce chemistry to children in a fun and exciting way through simple and interactive hands-on experiments. Date: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August Time: 11.00am, 1.00 & 3.00pm Australian Skeptics The Australian Skeptics will be explaining the science behind the paranormal at Scienceworks. See magic illusions, try out a bed of nails and many more surprising demonstrations. Date: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August Time: 11.00am to 4.00pm

Me On 3
Date	June 18-Friday July 17, 2009
Time	5pm
Book	abc.net.au/meon3
On June 18, ABC TV put out a casting call for 'big personalities' to apply for one of a number of presenter positions on the new digital kids channel, ABC3. Since the campaign began, more than 50,000 people have visited the site abc.net.au/meon3, while 12,000 application forms have been downloaded by eager people hoping to become faces of ABC3. Some of the more ambitious applicants have begun their own Facebook group to gather support, posted their audition video on youTube, or pitched themselves into their local newspaper for a story. To apply you need to follow these steps: -Visit abc.net.au/meon3 and fill in an application form -Send us some photos of yourself -Shoot a 1�2 minute video clip on DVD telling us why we should choose you!

Free Music Industry Careers Workshops
Date	Wed 29 Jul-Wed 26 Aug
Book	Young people aged 15-25 are eligible to attend but must register by calling The Push on 03 9380 1277 or going to Freezacentral.vic.gov.au to download a registration form
FReeZACentral will deliver seven free music industry career workshops to young people throughout Victoria in July and August 2009. Experienced trainers will come together with established professionals from the industry to provide an introduction to working in the music industry. Workshop presenters will cover song-writing, performance, sound engineering, recording, technical production, event and tour management, music business, band management, media, communications, marketing and publicity -- what's involved in their positions as well as career opportunities available in these sectors. Wed 29 Jul - Camberwell Careers Night, Camberwell Civic Centre (340 Camberwell Rd) 7-9pm Mon 3 Aug - Latrobe Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon (cnr Grey & Breed St) 5.45-8.30pm Tue 11 Aug - COPAC, Civic Hall, Colac (cnr Rae & Gellibrand St) 5.45-8.30pm Wed 12 Aug - Storey Hall, RMIT, Melbourne (342 Swanston Street) 5.45-8.30pm Wed 19 Aug - Civic Centre, Wodonga (Hovell St) 5.45-8.30pm Sat 22 Aug - Northcote Town Hall, Northcote (High St) 2-4.45pm Wed 26 Aug - Nexus Youth Centre, Horsham (14 Pynsent St) 5.45-8.30pm

A Day in Pompeii Workshops
Venue	Melbourne Museum
Date	Thursday 16 July-Saturday 15 August
Fee	$75 (includes entry to the exhibition)
Book	International Specialised Skills Institute: 9882 0055
Mosaic Workshop with David Jack The theme that often occurs in early Roman works is a mosaic that is a public warning at the entrance of a house. David Jack, Australian mural and mosaic artist, will show you the mosaics of Pompeii and provide a short history of Australia's mosaics. Date: Thursday 16 July, 5.30pm to 8.30pm and Saturday 18 July, 2pm to 5.30pm Garden Workshop with John Patrick Decorative and functional water features formed the gardens of Pompeii with elements of air-conditioning and sustainability. The gardens embraced pleasure and purpose with decorative and functional water features such as ponds and fountains. Date: Thursday 23 July, 5.30pm to 8.30pm and Saturday 25 July, 2pm to 5.30pm Fresco Painting Workshops with Sarah Tomasetti Learn about the history of frescos and try your hand at making and decorating your own piece. Experienced fresco painter Sarah Tomasetti will present an illustrated lecture looking at examples of frescoes from Roman Times to the Renaissance. Date: Thursday 30 July, 5.30pm to 8.30pm and Saturday 8 August, 2pm to 5.30pm Stone Carving Workshops with James Charlwood Learn about Pompeii stone work and create your own stone sculpture. James Charlwood will present an illustrated lecture about Pompeii stone work. This will cover materials used to create these works including architectural elements, statues, seats, columns and water features as well as carving techniques and the tools used to work the stone. Date: Thursday 6 August, 5.30pm to 8.30pm and Saturday 29 August, 2pm to 5.30pm Casting Workshop with James Charlwood and Sandor Matos Hear about the casts found at Pompeii and learn about the technique of making casts from voids. James Charlwood will present an illustrated lecture covering forms captured in the volcanic ash of Pompeii and the discovery of a technique by archaeologists that led to the reproduction of these forms. Sandor Matos will lead the practical component of the workshop where you will be given your own captive 'void'. Date: Saturday 15 August 2009, 2pm to 5.30pm

The Music for Children Ball 2009
Venue	Four Seasons Hotel, 199 George St, Sydney
Date	Saturday 8th August 2009
Time	7pm
Fee	$295 per person or $2950 for a table of ten
Book	melanie@internationalevents.com.au or 02 8306 9555
Master of Ceremonies: Adam Spencer Entertainment: Tom Burlinson and his big Band, Leo Syaer, Rhythm Untapped, ZThe ACMF All Star Band and a surprise special guest performance.

NAIDOC Week celebrations at Bunjilaka
Venue	Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton
Date	5 to 12 July 2009
Time	Open 10.00am to 5.00pm daily
Fee	Admission: $8 Adults, children and concession FREE.
Book	For further information, visit museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum or phone 13 11 02
NAIDOC Week (5 - 12 July) is an important event celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In 2009 the week's theme is 'Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth'. Ngujarn and Nakun: Our eyes, Our footprints opens on 10 July, as a part of NAIDOC week celebrations at Melbourne Museum, and will run until 8 November. Other NAIDOC Week events at Bunjilaka and Melbourne Museum include: Ask the experts Bring along objects and images from your own Indigenous collection, and let Melbourne Museum's experts give you advice on identification (what it is), provenance (where it is from) and dating (how old it is). Where: Discovery Centre, Lower Ground Floor, Melbourne Museum When: Sunday 5 July, 2009, from 11am to 5pm Blak Fella Films Watch a showcase of short films from the 2008 Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival, including Cannes award winner Warwick Thornton's short film Nana, Backseat by Victorian Aboriginal filmmaker Pauline Whyman, Yolgnu Guya Djamamirr: The story of the Chooky Dancers and the very beautiful Bollywood Dreaming. Where: Bunjilaka, Melbourne Museum When: 5 to 12 July 2009, from 10.00am to 5.00pm Milarri Garden Cultural Tours Join a tour of the Milarri native plant garden at Bunjilaka to learn about artefacts produced using plant materials, food fibre and medicinal plants, and watch an eel feeding demonstration. Where: The Milarri Garden, Melbourne Museum When: Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 July 2009, at 2pm and 3pm Gunditjmara - Moving Forward Learn about the Gunditjmara community project Gunditj Mirring Keeping Place at the Lake Condah Mission site with Damien Bell, the Project Manager for the Lake Condah Sustainable Development Project. Where: The Age Theatre, Lower Ground Floor, Melbourne Museum When: Tuesday 7 July 2009, 5pm to 8pm

Harry Potter at IMAX 3D
Venue	IMAX Melbourne Museum, Carlton Gardens
Date	Tuesday 14 July (12 midnight) Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July (9am)
Fee	Adults $21.00 Concession $17.50 Child $16.00 Family $60.00
Book	Imaxmelbourne.com.au or 03 9663 5454
Using IMAX's revolutionary live action 2D to 3D conversion technology, sequences of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - The IMAX Experience have been transformed into IMAX 3D, making for a truly magical extravaganza. Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching.

Circus Skills Workshops
Venue	New mall on Level 1, past the Food Court (near Toys & Tales), Centro Bankstown
Date	Monday 20 - Friday 24th July
Time	11:00am - 2pm
Fee	FREE
Book	Centrobankstown.com.au
Run away with the circus when Circus Spectacular takes over Centro Bankstown these school holidays! Children can put their skills to the test in the Circus Skills Workshops, learning plate spinning, juggling, magic and more in a fantastic interactive circus school show.

Circus Spectacular Shows
Venue	Centre Court, Level 2 (opposite Kmart), Centro Bankstown
Date	Monday 13 - Friday 17 July (Week One)
Time	11:30am and 1:30pm daily
Fee	FREE
Book	Centrobankstown.com.au
Run away with the circus when Circus Spectacular takes over Centro Bankstown these school holidays! Centro Bankstown will be transformed into an exciting circus arena as crazy clowns, awe-inspiring trapeze artists and amazing performers show off their skills in the Circus Spectacular shows, and teach children the tricks of the big top in the exciting Circus Skills Workshops. The Circus Spectacular in Week One will feature amazing aerial acrobats, whip cracking, lasso and some of Australia's most hilarious clowns!

Puppets out of the box and in the Square
Venue	Federation Square
Date	July School Holidays
Fee	Free- some activities do have small cost.
Federation Square is set to come alive with a children's puppet playground during the July school holidays. Fed Square will host a week-long program of puppet shows, roving performances, puppet workshops, films and parades. Roaming Puppets Giant seagulls, elephants and snails will rove through Fed Square each day entertaining both 'little' and 'big' visitors with their crazy antics. When: 6 July 10.00am, 10.30am, 12.00pm, 12.30pm, 2.00pm, 2.30pm Hissy Fit Puppet Show Kids will love this free puppet show featuring a grumpy child-hating snake charmer who loses his snake and throws a hissy fit! Recommended for children aged 5 - 10 years old. When: 7, 9, 10, 11 July 11.00am- 11.30am, 1.00pm - 1.30pm, 3.00pm - 3.30pm, Puppet Films Snuggle up in a beanbag and enjoy free, puppet-inspired films each morning in The Atrium. Films include: -E.T. (115 mins PG) -Babe (89mins G) -Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (109 mins PG) -Thunderbirds are Go (93mins G) -Elmo in Grouchland (90mins G) -Spy kids (88mins PG) When: 6 - 11 July 10.30am ArtPlay at The Atrium - Sock Puppets Get creative at Fed Square, with ArtPlay's sock-puppet making workshop in the Atrium. For more puppet workshops, ArtPlay's PuppetLab will also be held throughout the week at the ArtPlay building. When: Wednesday, 8 July 10.00am - 2.00pm (drop in anytime) Cost: $5 (includes socks & materials) Puppets at ACMI Kids' Flicks Noddy and Friends (G) Noddy gets up to all sorts of mischief in these classic stories sourced from the ACMI Collection, such as Noddy Gets Into Trouble, Noddy and Tessie Bear, Noddy Be Brave and Noddy Goes to School. Total running time: 64 minutes. Where: ACMI Cinemas When: 5 & 12 July 10.30am & 1.00pm Cost: All tickets $5 Kids in the Studio In this fun workshop coinciding with Puppets at Fed Square, kids will make their own clay figures before bringing them to life using stop motion animation and modern digital techniques. Workshops are free and kids can take their clay friends home. Recommended for children aged 5 - 13 years old. Where: ACMI, Studio 1 When: Weekdays between 29 June - 10 July Drop in any time between 12pm and 4pm Processional Puppets Parade Don’t miss the processional puppet parade where kids of all ages will demonstrate their puppetry skills to march pre-made ArtPlay puppets around Birrarung Marr and Fed Square. 1.00pm (6 July) and 3.30pm (7 July)

Upstaged
Venue	Powerhouse Albert Park Lake
Date	June 30- July 2nd or July 7th-9th
Fee	$240
Book	Upstagedworkshop.com
Upstaged a winter holiday workshop for children between the ages of 5 and 15 years. Classes: beginners to intermediate. The classes are with Melbourne's most revered and exciting teachers. The course covers dance, theatre and circus. Classes range from hip-hop and contemporary dance to vocal. The teachers are industry leaders and passionate artists creating works and still performing in the professional performing arts arena. As the course is geared to introduce the elements of performance, there will be a showing for parents and friends on the final day. Candid photographs and performance DVDs will be available.

It's all about Charles Darwin these winter school holidays
Venue	Australian National Maritime Museum: Darling Harbour
Date	12-26 July 2009
Time	9.30 am to 5 pm
Fee	Tours: Tickets are $7 per child, adults free. Workshop week: Cost $250 per child. Book by 26 June to receive the special earlybird price of $225.
Book	Bookings essential, (02) 9298 3655
Junior naturalist workshop week: 20-24 July 2009 Kids can become junior naturalists for a week at the Australian National Maritime Museum and discover the hidden secrets of natural science. They will work with artists from Circus Solarus to create a massive ship-sculpture to 'sail' around the museum while learning more about Charles Darwin's five year voyage of discovery on board the Beagle. The workshop will run from 9.30 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday and is recommended for children aged 8 to 12 years and. Discover Mr Darwin holiday program: 12-26 July 2009 These hour-long activity sessions are also based on the museum's major exhibition Charles Darwin - Voyages and ideas that shook the world and will see children try their hand at watercolour painting while tracking Darwin'’s voyage around the world. The hourly sessions will run daily during the school holidays between 10 am and 4 pm. Recommended for children aged 5-12 years.

Billabong City Squared Skate Event
Venue	World Square: 680 George Street, Sydney
Date	27th June
Time	11:00am Competition begins at 12 noon.
Billabong and Sony have brought together these big names in street skating to compete for over $5,000 in cash and Handycam prizes, which will be awarded to the best skaters with the best tricks on the day. Thirty of the most progressive street skaters have been invited to compete in a Jam format, over a purpose built double kink stair set. The set has been constructed in the middle of Sydney’s World Square. Alongside Billabong team riders Jon Lorcan, Aaron Rowe and Jackson Pilz, the big name Aussie skaters who will be competing include: -Chima Ferguson -Shane Azar -Jack Fardell -Kieran Reilly -Pat Dand -Jimmy Roche -Bryce Golder -Shame O’Neill -Jeremy Corea

Fairfield Stories
Venue	Cabravale Leisure Centre, Cabravale
Date	Saturday 20th June
Time	2-4pm
Fee	FREE
Book	Spaces are limited so to be sure not to miss out, please RSVP to ICE on (02) 9897 5744 or email info@ice.org.au
From stones and ochre to video cameras and technology, digital storytelling or Digitales are the latest ways to share cultural stories. Seamlessly combining traditional storytelling methods with still and moving images, audio, music, text and digital media, Digitales are personal snapshots with amazing impact. Part of the 'Digital Storytelling: Sustainability and Community Media in Western Sydney' project, Fairfield Stories tells tales of journeys, love, struggle and hope as experienced by young people of Cambodian and African backgrounds. Aiming to provide the wider community with insights into the experiences and stories of refugee and migrant communities, Fairfield Stories is focused on creating greater cultural understanding and encouraging recognition of the contribution these people are making to our Australian way of life. Fairfield Stories documents the diverse histories of emerging communities in Western Sydney around the themes of migration, belonging and cultural sustainability. As a key component of the project, pioneers of the Digitales movement in Australia, the Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE), in conjunction with the University of Western Sydney (UWS) and Fairfield City Council (FCC) ran intensive workshops with specialist Digitales trainers to enable the young filmmakers tell their digital stories.

What's On at Melbourne Museum
Venue	Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton
Date	May to July 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 5pm
Fee	Admission: Adult $8, children and concession FREE
Book	For further details phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum
A Day in Pompeii: Melbourne Winter Masterpieces The drama and tragedy of ancient Pompeii will be showcased in the Melbourne Winter Masterpiece exhibition. Exclusive to Melbourne, A Day in Pompeii is developed by Museum Victoria in partnership with the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei (SAP), and will feature over 250 objects from daily life in Pompeii and surrounds, as well as a number of body casts. Date: 26 June to 11 October 2009 Cost: $20 adult, $14 concession, $12 child, $54 family (includes Museum entry) A Salve's Eye View: an introduction to the people and places of Pompeii Meet the people and see the sights of Pompeii through the eyes of a slave during this 20 minute presentation. Join your slave guide at the Porta Marina, visit the baths, a thermopolium (fast food outlet) and walk along the Via dell'Abbondanza. Along the way encounter people from every strata of Pompeii society and ready yourself for a fine dinner at the slaves residence. Date: 27 June to 12 July 2009 Time: 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm Cost: Free entry with A Day in Pompeii exhibition ticket Lecture: The Archaeology of Pompeii with Dr Patrick Greene In 2007 and again in 2008 Dr Patrick Greene visited Pompeii as part of the preparations for the A Day in Pompeii exhibition at Melbourne Museum. As an archaeologist he was given full access to sites at Pompeii itself, at Herculaneum, Oplontis and Stabiae that are not normally accessible to the general public. This talk will take the audience 'behind the scenes' of one of the world's greatest archaeological landscapes, with vivid reminders of the Vesuvian destruction of AD79. Date: Thursday 16 July 2009, 6pm Cost: $35 adults, $24 concessions and MV members (includes entry to A Day in Pompeii exhibition) Lecture: Pompeii and Gold-Rich Victoria with Dr Patrick Greene In late-19th century Victoria, at the height of prosperity that resulted from gold mining, the ancient town of Pompeii held as much fascination as it does today. Dr Patrick Greene uncovers the evidence and reveals Pompeii's continuing legacy in Victoria, with remarkable survivals in Ballarat, Bendigo and Melbourne. Date: Thursday 23 July 2009 Cost: $35 adults, $24 concessions and MV members (includes entry to A Day in Pompeii exhibition) Beware the Dog: Mosaic Workshop with David Jack The theme that often occurs in early Roman works is a mosaic that is a public warning at the entrance of a house. David Jack, Australian mural and mosaic artist, will show you the mosaics of Pompeii and provide a short history of Australia's mosaics. David will give participants an understanding of the steps involved in creating a mosaic, recreating an image from Pompeii and material handling and traditional methods. Date: Thursday 16 July, 5.30pm to 8.30pm and Saturday 18 July, 2pm to 5.30pm Cost: $75 (includes entry to A Day in Pompeii exhibition) The Ornate and Formal Gardens of Pompeii: perfume, water, hedges and porticos Garden Workshop with John Patrick Decorative and functional water features formed the gardens of Pompeii with elements of air-conditioning and sustainability. The gardens embraced pleasure and purpose with decorative and functional water features such as ponds and fountains. Voluptuous sculptures, ornamental plants, perfumed flowers, herbs, hedges and vegetables were characteristic of gardens both then and today. John Patrick's illustrated lecture will be followed by a project whereby participants can create their own garden in the style of the Pompeian villa. John will discuss colour, texture, size, position, water-wise plants and types of water features. There will be an opportunity for individual and group discussion. Date: Thursday 23 July, 5.30pm to 8.30pm and Saturday 25 July, 2pm to 5.30pm Cost: $75 (includes entry to A Day in Pompeii exhibition) Ngarjun and Nakun: Our eyes, our footprints This exhibition explores the powerful collective story of the Mullet family, a Victorian Aboriginal family. Featuring paintings, textiles and objects from four generations of family members, the exhibition demonstrates the knowledge of culture and family connections that have been instilled through the generations by grandparents Albert and Rachel Mullett. Date: 10 July to 10 October 2009 Dinosaur Walk Get ready to walk among, around and even above the Museum's collection of dinosaur skeletons in Dinosaur Walk. Come face-to-face with Amargasaurus and Protoceratop, as well as Quetzalcoatlus, the largest flying animal of all time. Dinosaur fans can touch displays of dinosaur teeth, bones and fossilised poo and discover how dinosaurs moved, what they ate and how they survived in their changing environments. Dinosaur Walk is the first permanent exhibition to be opened as part of Museum Victoria's Science and Life Gallery redevelopment. Date: Now showing

Wizards at ACMI this winter
Venue	Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) Fed Square Melbourne
Date	Mon 29 Jun-Sat 11 July
Time	check ACMI
Fee	Flicks individual sessions: All tickets $5, Harry Potter Movie Marathon: All tickets $25, First Look: Full $13, Concession $10
This winter the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) are brushing off the spell books and heading indoors for a series of magical films that will delight adults and kids alike these school holidays. We kick off with a wizard medley - a free screening of four animated short films in one magical session which is sure to ignite young imaginations -simply titled Free Animated Wizard Kids' Flicks.. Then, on the eve of the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince this July, we take you back to where it all started, with the chance to relive the cinematic magic of J.K Rowling's timeless tales of the adventures of a young wizard. ACMI will screen all five of Harry Potter films across two weeks. Join us for individual sessions or take part in a movie marathon of spellbinding proportions! Over one massive day and night, die-hard Harry Potter fans can immerse themselves in all Harry's adventures to date. There are two movie marathons to choose from: Tuesday 30 June and Wednesday 8 July. Dress ups are encouraged - and that's not just reserved for the kids! Hey presto! It's a magical winter of wizardry for all at ACMI.

Kids in the Studio: Puppet animation
Venue	Fed Square, ACMI: Studio 1
Date	Mon 29 Jun, Tue 30 Jun, Wed 1 Jul, Thu 2 Jul, Fri 3 Jul, Mon 6 Jul, Tue 7 Jul, Wed 8 Jul, Thu 9 Jul, Fri 10 Jul
Time	Drop in between 12pm-5pm
Fee	Free
Recommended for children aged 5 to 13 To coincide with Puppets at Fed Square, ACMI presents a special animation workshop for the school holidays. Marionette puppets can be traced back to ancient times and were often made from clay. Today, animators still use clay to create characters that come to life on the big screen. In this workshop, children become the master storyteller by creating their own clay puppet to keep and animating their puppet's story with stop motion animation and modern digital techniques.

2009 Harvest of Australian Tuber Melanosporum Truffles at Prahran Market
Venue	Prahran Market: 163 Commercial Road, South Yarra VIC 3141
Date	11 June
Damian Pike Wild Mushroom Specialist at Prahran Market will be receiving the first shipment of the delicious Tuber Melanosporum truffles from the Wine and Truffle Company on June 11 2009. Don't miss out! Truffles are subterranean fungi which grow underground on the roots of trees that are infected with truffle spores. Truffles are round, warty, and irregular in shape and vary from the size of a walnut to that of a man's fist. Their pungent and unique flavour is held in high culinary esteem internationally. Brillat-Savarin called truffles 'the diamond of the kitchen'. BUT BUYER BEWARE - beware of 'false truffles'- there are other types of truffles being sold in Australia at the moment that are coming from Spain (in the wrong season - their summer) and other varieties of truffles grown in places like China. These truffles do not have the same aroma or flavour and are known as 'false truffles'. Do NOT be fooled into parting with good money for these very inferior truffles. ALWAYS ask where they are from and what species they are.

What's On at Scienceworks
Venue	Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood. (Melway 56, B1)
Date	May to June 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am-4.30pm
Fee	Adults $8, Children and Concession FREE
Book	www.museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks to purchase tickets.
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination Could cars that hover above the ground become the mass transit of the future? Will we ever have druids like C-3PO in real life? Fantasy and reality join forces in Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. This is the first exhibition to showcase more than 80 costumes, models and props from all six Star Wars films. Date: 4 June to 3 November 2009 Cost: $18 Adults, $8 Concession, $6 Children (includes entry to Scienceworks) Star Wars Exclusive Preview Event Be the first to feel the force in Melbourne. Enjoy this extraordinary opportunity to see the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibition before it officially opens to the public, an evening filled with great food and entertainment. There will be an introductory talk by Star Wars expert Kerrie Dougherty, Curator of Space Technology at Powerhouse Museum. Special Star Wars merchandise will be available in the Star Wars shop. Date: Tuesday 2 June, 6pm and 8pm Cost: $70 Adults, $45 Children, $60 MV Member Bookings essential: ph 03 9392 4800 Winter School Holiday Program: Robot Roundup Find out what a robot is and how they differ from other machines these winter holidays. Explore how robots move, sense their environment and 'think' in a variety of free live performances and activities. Then head over to the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibition to see the robots featured in the popular movie series. Date: 27 June to 12 July 2009 Cost: Included with Scienceworks admission New Lightning Room show: Amps, Arcs and Sparks Find out how sound travels, how an electric guitar works and how we can predict the distance of an approaching lightning storm in this 30 minute electrifying show starring sound waves and live lightning bolts. Date: Now showing, check the website for times Cost: $13 Adults, $4 Concession, $3.50 Children (includes entry to Scienceworks) Mathamazing Explore the mathematics behind everyday life. Mathamazing includes hands-on activities based on topics such as shapes, probability, sequences and series, puzzles, problem solving, topology and building. Developed by Questacon The National Science and Technology Centre, Canberra. Date: Until 6 December Cost: Included with Scienceworks admission

Teens Cooking Classes
Venue	Electrolux Cooking School @ QVM 69 Victoria St, Melbourne 3000
Date	Tuesday 30 June, Thursday 2, Tuesday 7 & Thursday 9 July 2009
Time	11.00am
Fee	$50.00
Book	03 9320 5822
Sweetie Pie! Pies for winter Tuesday 30th June 2009 Kids Love Pies! In this class Melissa reaches every teen's heart via their stomachs. Melissa shares some old family recipes for a creamy chicken pie, a quiche that is a lighter option, and two sweet ones with fruit as the base - apple and berries. Christmas in July Thursday 2 July 2009 @ 11.00am Gingerbread houses are like small building constructions, fiddly, fun, and very Satisfying at the end! In this class Melissa gives us a few months run in before Christmas to practise and perfect gingerbread house making for that special time of year, these are colourful and delicious and make great gifts. Remember that gingerbread is also a great way to make Christmas tree decorations as well! Chocolate running down the streets! Tuesday 7 July 2009 Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! This isn't going to be just any cake. This class is about making decadent and finger licking good chocolate cake, and then it's about the super rich chocolate icing and finally lots of decorations and ways to finish the cake so that it is a triumph of chocolate! sian Finger food for snacks or parties Thursday 9 July 2009 When teens create goodies for parties, these days its more and more about Asian flavours, so in this class Melissa looks to the far east for inspiration. She will cover such finger foods as golden wontons, spring rolls, which can be made in various sizes and delicious peanut Satay sticks.

Circus Courts and Cue Sports- National Sports Museum and MCG Tours
Venue	National Sports Museum, MCG
Date	29 June - July 10th
Fee	(Combined NSM & MCG Tour) Adult $22.00 (16 + years) Child $12.00 (5-15 years) Family $60.00 (2 Adults & 4 Children) Conc $15.00 (Identification required)
Book	03 9657 8879
Juggle, spin, balance - experience the thrills and spills of our 'circus skills' workshop when the circus comes to the National Sports Museum during the school holidays. Learn more about the 'sport of courts', discover the tricks with billiards world champion, Robby Foldvari and, back by popular demand, is Sam Starr for another round of fun and frivolity. Kids of all ages can race against the clock in Game On - netball, Australian football, cricket, cycling and soccer- all this and much more in a 'hands, feet and bottoms on' interactive environment where you create your own sporting memories. Celebrate the 2008 centenary of rugby league in 'League of Legends - 100 years of Rugby League in Australia' and don't forget a visit to NSM Cinema Sport. Spend your day at the MCG with a behind the scenes tour of this grand stadium before visiting the NSM - home to Australia’s greatest sporting moments.

Old Melbourne Gaol Crime and Justice Experience
Venue	Old Melbourne Gaol Crime & Justice Experience â€" Russell Street (between La Trobe & Victoria Sts), Melbourne
Date	27 June -12 July
Fee	Adult $20, Child $11, Family $49 (2 adults and up to 4 children), Conc $16
Book	8663 7228
Visit the Old Melbourne Gaol Crime amd Justice Experience these winter school holidays. Tour the Old Melbourne Gaol, one of Melbourne's oldest surviving buildings and learn about prison life in the 19th century. Participate in a tour of the former City Watch House where you will be 'charged' and 'lockedup' in the cells, and experience an environment unchanged since the police and inmates left in 1994. Visit the Old City Court and participate in an exciting opportunity to play the part of the judge, prosecutor, witness or others in a courtroom drama based on a real court case including that of Ned Kelly.

Cooks' Cottage
Venue	Cooks' Cottage
Date	27 June to 12 July 2009
Fee	Free for children aged between 5 and 14 years - on receipt of correct password. Adult: $4.50, Child: $2.20, Family: $12.00, Conc: $2.70
Book	9419 4677
As Australia's oldest building, Cooks' Cottage allows you to experience what life was like in the 18th century for the Cook family. You will learn that the Cottage was brought to Melbourne 75 years ago from Great Ayton, in England and that each brick of the Cottage was individually numbered, pulled apart and then rebuilt in the Fitzroy Gardens. Out the back of the Cottage is a typical English cottage garden. In the 18th century, the garden was used for food, herbs and importantly, medicine. Your tour of the Cottage culminates at the Discovery Centre, where you will learn all about Captain James Cook, his last three famous voyages, including his tragic death and the amazing legacy he has left for the generations to come after him.

Melbourne City Baths
Venue	17 Water View Walk, Docklands.
Date	27 June to 12 July
Fee	Child $34.95 per day + excursion costs
Book	9663 5888
The Melbourne City Baths School Holiday Program is packed with exciting activities and excursions for children aged 6 years to 12 years. It is a great way to keep your children safe, entertained and active throughout the holidays. The Melbourne City Baths School Holiday Program is run at the Docklands Hub, 17 Waterview Walk, Docklands. The program is nationally registered and accredited by the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Child Care fees can be reduced to as low as $5.46depending on your Child Care Benefit (CCB) entitlement. Each term program consists of daily activities at the Hub and includes excursions to places like Hoyts, Scienceworks, Melbourne Museum, Puffing Billy, Melbourne Aquarium and many more. The program is a great solution for working parents and for those who'd like their children to socialise and be active over the holidays.

Chinese Museum
Venue	Chinese Museum
Date	27 June to 12 July
Fee	Adult $7.50, Child $5.50, Family $20.50, Conc $5.50
Book	9662 2888
Enter into Chinatown's hidden gem: a world of gold rush history and cultural discovery for kids, which incorporate permanent and changing exhibitions and events - including Dai Loong - the world's largest dragon! The museum also has Kids' Heritage Treasure Hunt for you and your family to experience!

City Museum at Old Treasury
Venue	City Museum, Old Treasury, Spring Street (top end of Collins Street), Melbourne
Date	Ongoing
Fee	$8.50, Child (under 7) free, Family $18, Student/Conc $5
Book	9651 2233
City Museum presents the story of Melbourne through a myriad of diverse exhibitions. Be captivated by the events that have shaped Melbourne and discover fascinating insights into the city's development in one of Australia's finest nineteenth century buildings. Making Melbourne History in the Making reveals the rich and unique chemistry of the city once known as 'Bearbrass' with a narrative arch spanning from Batman's swashbuckling arrival to the invention of the Bionic Ear. Built on Gold. The outstanding attraction of the Old Treasury is the evocative gold vaults, built to store the colony's gold in the 1850's. Today the vaults are home to a breathtaking exhibition that uses the latest in technology to reveal the extraordinary story of Victoria's gold, its journey and the legacy in the years 1852-1862. Growing up in the Old Treasury Step back in time and relive the childhood memories of the Maynard family. John Maynard was the Old Treasury's caretaker and from 1916 to 1928 John, his wife Emma and their eight children lived beneath the Govenor's office in one of Melbourne's most prestigious Government buildings. Walk through the living rooms of their home, faithfully recreated from family records and recollections.

Galactic Circus
Fee	Special holiday prices
Book	13-BOWL (13-2695)
Anybody's Game! Galactic Circus is Australia's largest indoor interactive theme park. Offering hundreds of carnival favorites, prize redemption games, motion rides, the latest high-tech attractions, 15 state of the art bowling lanes and the only indoor laser skirmish arena in the CBD. This exiting venue is the only one of its kind in the Southern hemisphere and is centrally located all under one roof at the Crown Entertainment Complex.

Phar La's Face
Venue	Champions Australian Racing Museum, Yarra Building, Federation Square
Date	27 June - 12 July
Fee	Adult: Free and the concession rate of $5 if they which to tour the Museum on Level 2. Child: $5 includes pre cut horse mask and all materials such as paint, wool, hair, sequins etc.
Book	9258 4821 (bookings not required)
So what horse are you? Are you the champion chestnut Phar Lap? Or are you a grey, bay or black horse with stripe, star or blaze markings? Decisions, decisions! Come in from the cold this winter to Champions Australian Racing Museum and design, decorate and create your own Phar Lap's Face. Using pre-made masks; you can paint and adorn your horse mask with a wide range of materials. And while you are making your galloping mare or stallion, your accompanying adult friend can tour the state of the art Australian Racing Museum for the concession rate of just $5.00! So warm up in at Champions this winter holidays and trot home a Thoroughbred Champion!

Meccano Exhibition and Mini Car Building - Cool Cars and Amazing Meccano
Venue	Fox Classic Car Collection, 749 â€" 755 Collins Street, cnr Batman’s Hill Drive & Collins St, Docklands, 3008, at the end of the Collins Street extension. Entry driveway off Batman’s Hill Dve where there is a large gap in the green plastic bollards. Parking available on site.
Date	Monday 29th June to 7th July
Time	10am â€" 2pm on Monday 29, Tuesday 30 June, Monday 6, Tuesday 7 July 2009
Fee	Adult $10, Child $5, Concession $8, Family $25
Book	03 9620 4085
Try your hand at being a mechanic by putting a miniature car together and look over some amazing Meccano models. Or check out up to 50 cool cars like Ferraris and Godzilla from the Lindsay Fox car collection. If you want to build a miniature car you must phone and make a booking. Car building sessions are at 10.30am and 12.30pm. Car building is suitable for 10 to 13 year olds and lasts for 40 minutes. To see the fantastic exhibits of the Melbourne Meccano Club or use our activity sheets as you walk through the car collection you just arrive â€" no bookings necessary. Owners will demonstrate the amazing Meccano models. Children must have adult supervision for all activities. Disability access to the ground floor only.

Melbourne Zoo
Venue	Melbourne Zoo
Date	27 June to 12 July
Fee	Adult: $23.60, Child: $11.80, Family: $53.90 (2 Adults, 2 Children), Conc: Adult Concession $17.80, Seniors Concession $21.20
Book	1300 ZOOSVIC
Melbourne Zoo is home to a vast array of different animals and more than one third of these critters can be found under the roof of our Reptile House. These school holidays, make your way to Melbourne Zoo to see reptiles, amphibians, crocodiles and alligators from all over the globe, all housed in our indoor reptile exhibit. For those with a fascination for all things gator-riffic, we will be showcasing American alligators along with the Philippine Crocodile, the most endangered member of the crocodilian family. They will be on display along with many other scaly, slithering, and slimy species of snakes, lizards, turtles and frogs. Throughout the day, enjoy a range of special animal encounters, keeper talks, craft activities and fun for the whole family to enjoy. Nothing beats Melbourne Zoo for good value and great fun. With thousands of creatures to see, there is something new and exciting every single day!

Puppets at Federation Square
Venue	Federation Square
Date	6 July - 12 July
Time	all day
Fee	Free / $5 for ArtPlay in The Atrium - Sock Puppets
Book	03 9655 1900
Head to Federation Square these school holidays for a week long program of puppet shows, roving performances, workshops, films and parades. Roaming Puppets: Giant seagulls, elephants and snails will rove through Fed Square each day entertaining both 'little' and 'big' visitors with their crazy antics. Hissy Fit Puppet Show: Kids will love this free puppet show about a grumpy child-hating snake charmer who loses his snake and throws a hissy fit! ArtPlay in The Atrium - Sock Puppets: Get creative at Fed Square, with ArtPlay's sock-puppet making workshop in the Atrium. Puppet Parade: Children will use their puppetry skills to march pre-made ArtPlay puppets around.

The Light in Winter
Venue	Federation Square
Date	4 June - 5 July 2009
Fee	FREE
Book	03 9655 1900
In 2009 Federation Square gives us another bright reason to rug and up and head for the city. Directed by Robyn Archer, The Light in Winter is a light-based festival that brings together artists, designers and communities to explore their ideas of light, enlightenment and hope. The festival will include thirteen light installations created by Melbourne's local communities along with a major international commission, 'Volume'. Come in out of the cold and enjoy the heartening glow of the Light in Winter.

Circus Oz Barely Contained
Venue	Under the heated Big Top, Birrarung Marr
Date	17 June - 12 July
Fee	Adult $47 - $69.90, Child $26 - $45, Family $120 - $185, Concession $36 - $59.90
Book	9646 8899 (Circus Oz main line) Bookings no: 136 100
Expect barely contained chaos, exquisite aerial mastery and serious new stunt-jumping acrobatics for folks of all ages in Circus Oz's 2009 show Barely Contained. Irreverent characters will take over the Big Top with acts of exuberant physicality, from clowning and musical feats, to aerial dance and rubber-limbed tumbling. Whether you come to see Circus Oz every year, or hope to discover Melbourne's own internationally acclaimed contemporary circus for the first time, don't miss two hours of comedic mayhem accompanied by spectacularly eclectic tunes from the all-new Circus Oz band.

Circus Oz Workshops
Venue	ArtPlay, Birrarung Marr, behind Federation Square & by the Yarra River
Date	Various dates between 20 June and 3 July
Fee	From $25 to $30 per child. Varies depending on workshop
Book	9664 7900
Circus Oz is returning this winter school holidays to Birrarung Marr with workshops at ArtPlay. Come and get a taste of what it's like to be in the circus or learn some neat tricks. ArtPlay has over two weeks of circus workshops available for children aged 3 and above and their parents. Bring the whole family down to work as a team! Learn how to spin a diablo, balance on a rolla bolla, build a human pyramid or show off your juggling skills to your friends. These workshops are suitable to a wide range of skills, from novices to more accomplished performers! The Circus Oz trainers will cater to your needs

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles LIVE
Venue	Melbourne Aquarium
Date	27 June - 12 July
Time	11.00am to 3.00pm
Fee	Adult: $31.50, Child: $18.00, Family: $85 (two adults and two children), Conc: $19.50
Book	03 9923 5999
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles celebrate their 25th anniversary this year and Melbourne Aquarium is joining the party with live performances from these dynamic characters throughout the winter school holidays!

ACMI What's On
Venue	ACMI- Federation Square, Melbourne.
Date	May 20th-May 26th
Time	various times
Kids: Sun 24 May 10.30am, Sun 24 May 1pm Sita Sings the Blues PG Nina Paley, 82 mins, USA, 2008, 35mm Directed, written, produced, designed and animated by Nina Paley, this glorious film blends the story of Nina's real-life breakup with the ancient tale of the Ramayana. Both dutiful to their husbands, Sita, a goddess in the ancient tale, and Nina, not quite a goddess but a heroine just the same, have their hearts broken. Along the way, Sita sings her sweet, sweet songs, which are actually recordings by 1920s jazz vocalist Annette Hanshaw. Long Play: Thu 21 May 7.30pm, Thu 21 May 9.30pm, Fri 22 may 9.30pm, Sat 23 May 7.30pm, Sat 23 May 9.30pm, Sun 24 May 3.30pm, Sun 24 May 5.45pm, Sun 24 May 7.45pm Soul Power PG Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, 93 mins, USA, 2008, 35mm, English and French with English subtitles. Courtesy: Madman 'Godfather of Soul' James Brown screams onto the screen in this electrifying new work documenting the wild concert that preceded the legendary Ali vs Foreman 'Rumble in the Jungle' bout of 1974. Containing no contemporary interviews and very much a companion piece to Leon Gast's When We Were Kings (which Levy-Hinte co-edited), Soul Power is part concert film, part social commentary but all sweat and pelvis. As such it captures a most explosive of musical moments with enormous precision. Filled with great off-the-cuff sequences and int! Freaky Friday: Fri 22 May 10pm Flesh Gordon R18+ Michael Benveniste & Howard Ziehm, 72 mins, USA, 1974, 35mm. Courtesy: Chapel distribution

Night at the Museum 2 at IMAX Melbourne Museum
Venue	IMAX Melbourne Museum, Carlton Gardens
Date	May 21
Time	www.imaxmelbourne.com.au or 03 9663 5454
Fee	Adults $21.00 Concession $17.50 Child $16.00 Family $60.00 with free entry into Melbourne Museum with every IMAX ticket
It's both a new 'night' and a new 'museum' for Ben Stiller, who is joined by several other stars from the original film, as well as new characters from history - including Amy Adams as famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart, Hank Azaria as villainous Egyptian pharaoh Kahmunrah, Christopher Guest as Russian tyrant Ivan the Terrible and Alain Chabat as Napoleon. Owen Wilson is back as cowboy Jedediah, and Robin Williams again rides into history as Teddy Roosevelt. The centerpiece of the film is that it brings to life the Smithsonian Institution. Housing the world's largest museum complex, the Smithsonian has a collection of more than 136 million items - ranging from the plane Amelia Earhart flew on her non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic to Al Capone's rap sheet and mug shot to Dorothy's ruby red slippers and Archie Bunker's lounge chair. In this second installment in the Night at the Museum saga, Larry faces a battle so epic it could only unfold in the corridors of the world's largest museum. Now, Larry must try to save his formerly inanimate friends from what could be their last stand amid the wonders of the Smithsonian, all of which - from the famous paintings on the walls to the rocket ships in the halls - suddenly have a mind of their own.

The Raw and the Ripe @ Eumundi Food Festival
Date	Sunday 28 June 2009
Foodies on the Sunshine Coast are advised to put Sunday 28 June in their diary as the date for the 2009 Eumundi Food Fest. Part of the Noosalongweekend 10 day cultural event, the Eumundi Food Fest (now in its seventh year) brings together local producers, growers, chefs, restaurateurs, entertainers and food lovers with a host of activities and entertainment throughout the day. Eumundi Food Fest Coordinator Trent Harvison says Eumundi's village atmosphere is the ideal setting for an event that has become a 'must do' for those with an appreciation of fresh and fabulous food. "The Tucker Tent is the main hub of the Food Fest. It will be the place to enjoy all sorts of foodie fun-with cooking presentations and demonstrations throughout the day," Trent says. The Eumundi Food Fest will also feature a Raw Talent Restaurant hosted by school-based trainees in hospitality, as well as a Farmer's Market, showcasing the sub-tropical, the unusual and unique local foods and produce. The Noosa Beach Classic Car Club will also be hosting their 'Show and Shine' display - an impressive gathering of sparkling classic motor vehicles. Situated right in the middle of the Food Fest, the display will provide scores of delicious cars to drool over.

Ignite Your Imagination This Winter: Ignite@Docklands
Venue	Waterfront City and NewQuay, Docklands
Date	Saturday 30 May to Sunday 14 June 2009
Time	Winter's Eve Party: Saturday 30 May 2009, 5.30-9.00pm, fireworks at 7pm
Fee	FREE
Book	www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
Over three weekends: -Saturday 30-Sunday 31 May -Thursday 4-Monday 8 June (Monday 8 June is the Queen's Birthday holiday) -Thursday 11-Sunday 14 June To kick off winter on Saturday 30 May and officially commence the city's winter program of activities, Ignite@Docklands will entertain families for free with a series of performances boasting light, sound and fire to blast away the winter chills. Holding true to the city's winter theme of 'Illumination', a highlight of the winter's eve party will be a fireworks show to set the night skies ablaze as a parade of lit boats glow their way through the harbour. "The City of Melbourne is extremely proud to be offering this not-to-be-missed experience to Docklands visitors as part of the winter's jam-packed events calendar. In only its second year, the event is already attracting a wide range of sought-after artists specialising in light and fire attractions," said Lord MayorRobert Doyle. Also new to Ignite@Docklands is the Sprocket, which is an illuminated, moving trolley featuring fiveperformers connected by a rotating hoist. They are swung around the trolley merry-go-round style whileplaying acoustic instruments" a sight and sound spectacular sure to entertain young and old.

BATS Theatre Company: Treasure Island
Venue	Cranbourne Community Theatre, located at Cranbourne Secondary College.
Date	September School Holidays: Monday, September 21-Thursday, September 24
Fee	$10
Book	03 9704 6026
BATS Theatre Company's 'Treasure Island' will be performed during the September School Holidays. BATS youth shows are the ultimate in school holiday entertainment for families of all ages. The price is perfectly suited to families too, at only $10. Treasure Island is a pantomime, which means the show includes acting, singing and dancing- a fantastic mix to keep kids fascinated for the length of the show, which includes a 20 minute interval. Treasure Island tells the story of Jim Hawkins, who has possession of Bill Bones' map, using this map he sets sail in search of buried treasure... along the way he meets many interesting people and encounters quite an adventure. There will be six performances of Treasure Island: Monday, September 21 @ 7pm Tuesday, September 22 @ 1pm Wednesday, September 23 @ 11am Wednesday, September 23 @ 7pm Thursday, September 24 @ 1pm

2009 EnhanceTV ATOM Awards
Date	Entries for the 2009 EnhanceTV ATOM Awards will close at 12pm on Monday 15 June, 2009.
Book	visit www.atomawards.org
ime's running out for any Australian or New Zealand based game developers wanting to enter their new games titles in the 2009 EnhanceTV ATOM awards 'Interactive / Video Games' category. "The ATOM Awards are all about recognising and celebrating excellence in productions that are created for the screen - be it the movie, television, PC, games console or even mobile phone screen. Last year we introduced categories to recognise excellence in interactive video games and were thrilled with the response from game developers and students alike," commented Amber Nelson, ATOM Awards Spokesperson.

Seahorse September at Oceanworld Manly
Date	Father's Day
Fee	When you visit Oceanworld Manly with dad this Father's Day, one child will receive free entry!
Book	oceanworld.com.au
It's Seahorse September at Oceanworld Manly so there's never been a better time to treat your dad to a fun day out with the whole family! Did you know that the male seahorse is considered one of the best fathers in the world? The seahorse is unique because, unlike most other animals, although the female lays the eggs, it's the male seahorse that carries the eggs, nourishes them and even gives birth to the young! The seahorse enjoys fatherhood so much, that he will become 'pregnant' almost straight after giving birth and can have up to 12 broods of babies in just one breeding season! Throughout the month of September, you can see and learn all about this amazing creature at Oceanworld with our daily Great Animal Fathers Talk, weekdays at 2.30pm and 3pm on weekends.

Spongebob Squarepants Statue
Date	Tuesday 1st September
Time	10.00am - 12.00pm
A giant smiling statue of the world's favourite sea sponge, SpongeBob SquarePants, will be embarking on an Australian tour from September to November 2009, to spread his lovable optimism amongst his many fans - it's all to encourage Aussie kids to smile BIG and THINK HAPPY like SpongeBob - a simple, feel-good message in continued celebration of SpongeBob's 10 year anniversary this year. Kids will also be encouraged to take part in the Happy Snap competition: simply bring your camera along to take a photo with the SpongeBob statue, giving your biggest, happiest, most Spongiest smile, then upload it to Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants website (Spongebob.com) for the chance to win a Nick Prize Pack. The top five Nick-picked Happy Snaps will also be shown on-air on Nickelodeon, during the special SpongeBob SquarePants programming in November: All new episodes Monday 16th Nov - Fri 20th Nov and the ultimate SpongeBob SpongeBash marathon weekend Fri 20th Nov - Sun 22nd Nov.

What's On at Melbourne Museum
Venue	Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton
Date	May to July 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 5.00pm
Fee	Admission: Adult $8, children and concession FREE
Book	For further details phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum
A Day in Pompeii: Melbourne Winter Masterpieces The drama and tragedy of ancient Pompeii will be showcased in the Melbourne Winter Masterpiece exhibition A Day in Pompeii, on display at Melbourne Museum from 26 June to 25 October 2009. Exclusive to Melbourne, A Day in Pompeii is developed by Museum Victoria in partnership with the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei (SAP), and will feature over 250 objects from daily life in Pompeii and surrounds, as well as a number of body casts. Melbourne Winter Masterpieces is a Victorian Government initiative and is exclusive to Melbourne, Australia. A Day in Pompeii is presented in association with the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei (SAP). Date: 26 June to 11 October 2009 Cost: $20 adult, $14 concession, $12 child, $54 family (includes Museum entry) Dinosaur Walk Get ready to walk among, around and even above the Museum's collection of dinosaur skeletons in Dinosaur Walk. Come face-to-face with Amargasaurus and Protoceratop, as well as Quetzalcoatlus, the largest flying animal of all time. Dinosaur fans can touch displays of dinosaur teeth, bones and fossilised poo and discover how dinosaurs moved, what they ate and how they survived in their changing environments. Dinosaur Walk is the first permanent exhibition to be opened as part of Museum Victoria's Science and Life Gallery redevelopment. Date: Now showing agIdeas 2009 NewStar The agIdeas NewStar Award is an opportunity for emerging Australian designers to enhance their design career by winning International travelling scholarships. The finalists, ranging from multimedia, 2D or 3D works, are exhibited at Melbourne Museum with winners announced at the agIdeas 2009 International Design Forum. Date: Until 24 May 2009 INNOVIC's Next Big Thing Award Exhibition INNOVIC's International Next Big Thing Award is a global competition and annual award to find and showcase new inventions and innovations that have the potential to become 'the next big thing'. This exhibition will feature the 25 finalists and their innovations or inventions. Date: 30 May to 12 July 2009 H.O.P.E. Project Exhibition The H.O.P.E. (Hope, Opportunity, Purpose and Education) Project Exhibition features paintings by Indigenous students from Mildura Primary School that reflect their beliefs about who is important to them, where they feel connected and safe and the difference that being part of the project has made in their lives. Each artwork has a unique personal story attached that represents strong cultural identify and hope for the future. Date: Until 26 June 2009 Top Designs 2009 Be inspired and motivated by the creativity and skills of the best design works from Victoria's final year VCE secondary school design students. Students' works range from film, furniture, fashion, graphic design, mechanics, photography, publishing and food. Top Designs also features the development of the final product. View folios, work briefs, production stages, product evaluations and design plans. Presented in partnership with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority as part of the VCE Season of Excellence. Date: Until 12 July 2009

What's On at ACMI
Venue	ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne.
Marc Jacobs on Film Fri 4 Sep 12.30pm Slaves of New York M New York was arguably the centre of the creative world in the 1980s. You might have bumped into Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat or hat designer, Eleanor. Well, maybe not. But you can see her in this classic slice of New York artistic life, when Marc Jacobs was also finding his feet as a fashion designer. First Look: Mean Streets R 18+ Thur 3 Sep 2009, 7pm, Fri 4 Sep 2009, 7pm, Sat 5 Sep 2009, 7pm, Sun 6 Sep 2009, 5.30pm Instantly touted as an American cinema classic, Mean Streets is the first in Martin Scorsese's unofficial crime trilogy (including Goodfellas and Casino). It marks the beginnings of the now famous partnership between Robert De Niro and Scorsese, signalling their mutual fascination with the underworld genre and the moral codes of its colourful characters. Australian Perspectives:Goemon unclassified 18+ Sat 5 Sep 4pm What connection could a new Japanese film based on the legend of Robin Hood have with Australia? The extraordinary costumes for this tale of revenge and ancient honour were created by the wild imagination of Australian fashion designer Tina Kalivas. Join Tina for a Q&A session after this screening. Freaky Fridays:Thirst M Fri 4 Sep 10pm John Pinkney's "macabre, campy screenplay" (Not Quite Hollywood Collector's Handbook) imagines a nightmarish scenario in which vampires operate a facility where human 'donors' are mechanically milked (ewww). International talents David Hemmings (Deep Red) and serial Hollywood 'heavy' Henry Silva co-star opposite Chantal Contouri (Snapshot) in this stylish genre outing. Kids' Flicks:Thomas & Friends: The Great Discovery G Sun 6 Sep - Sun 13 Sep, 4 sessions When Thomas the Tank Engine discovers the long forgotten town of Great Waterton, the Fat Controller declares the town will be restored to mark Sodor Day and puts Thomas in charge.

Digging up the past at Melbourne Museum
Venue	Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street Carlton
Date	Tuesday 19 May and Wednesday 20 May
Time	6pm
Book	Bookings are essential, ph 13 11 02
FREE LECTURE - Kings of the Maya Rain Forest Presented by Dr Peter Mathews Tuesday 19 May Advances over the past fifty years have led to the deciphering of Maya hieroglyphs and a complete revision of our understanding of first millennium Maya society in Mexico and Central America. This free presentation looks at life among the rulers of the ancient Maya—their internal organisation and their (often stormy) relations with one another. Peter Mathews received his PhD from Yale University and has worked in Mexico and Guatemala for over 30 years. His specialisation is the study of Maya hieroglyphic writing and the implications of the hieroglyphic texts for understanding ancient Maya history and society. FREE LECTURE - Paupers and Immigrants Presented by Dr Peter Davies Wednesday 20 May Sydney's Hyde Park Barracks is well known for its association with male convicts. With the end of transportation to NSW in 1840, however, the building became a depot for female immigrants, and later an asylum for destitute women. A large collection of artefacts found beneath the floorboards of the barracks promises to shed new light on the institutional lives of these women. Dr Peter Davies is an historical archaeologist at La Trobe University. His previous research has focused on community life at Henry's Mill in Victoria's Otway Ranges.

Healthy Parenting & Natural Living Seminar
Venue	Benledi House at Glebe Library: 186 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, NSW
Date	14th September
Time	7:15pm - 9:15pm (7pm Registration)
Fee	$15 online or $20 on the door
Book	sydneyorganicevent.com
Speaking at the event will be Dr Sarah Lantz, Author of Chemical Free Kids: Raising Children in a Toxic World. Dr Sarah Lantz is a university lecturer, researcher, writer and mother. She has an academic and professional background in public health and mental health and specialises in the area of child and youth health and wellbeing. She has written and spoken widely on the issue, and continues to be an invited speaker in the media on the subject of youth health and wellbeing. Also speaking will be Narelle Chenery, the Founder of the award-winning miessence products, the first comprehensive range of certified organic skin, hair, cosmetic and personal care products in the world. Narelle is a mother of three, passionate educator and activist for social and consumer change. She speaks worldwide to business leaders, cosmetic industry professionals and government bodies. 'Education is the key, if we know how to see through the greenwash, we can choose to avoid toxins.' - Narelle Chenery.

New photography workshop at Centennial Park
Date	three lesson hands on course - Sundays 31 May, 14 and 28 June
Time	from 9.00 am to 12.00pm
Fee	The full course costs $200 per person (Friends of Centennial Parklands $180 per person).
Book	For bookings and further enquiries phone (02) 9339 6699 or visit www.centennialparklands.com.au.
Centennial Parklands is offering a new photography course, taught by professional photographer Chris Gleisner who will share her experience and knowledge over three sessions. Each lesson will run from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm on Sunday 31 May, 14 and 28 June 2009 and is suitable for beginners who will get to know their camera and how to take great shots, to more experienced photographers who want to improve their skills. "This course is suitable for anyone to attend but is especially useful for people would like to learn how to make better use of their camera. A fancy camera is not necessary and students may use film or digital cameras. There are a lot of people out there who have fantastic cameras but end up setting them on automatic because they don't understand all the functions. In this course, students not only learn that some of these functions exist but also some fun creative techniques to make use of them," says Gleisner. Using the stunning natural surrounds of Centennial Park for inspiration and subject matter, Gleisner will teach students how to take photographs of people, flora, fauna and landscape. "It's about getting to know your camera and practising your skills in a relaxed and interactive atmosphere that is beautiful and accessible. People can ask questions as they're taking photos in the Park," says Gleisner. A Sydney-based freelance photographer and teacher, Gleisner's works have appeared in a number of local exhibitions, portraying local and international images, including Clovelly Artists 2008 (Gallery East), Sydney Now 2008 (Sydney Museum) and Sydney Life 2002/2007 (City of Sydney).

The Baby Show
Venue	The Royal Hall of Industries, The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, Driver Ave, Sydney
Date	Friday 18 Sunday - 20 September, 2009
Time	Friday 18th Sept: 9.30am - 5.30pm, Saturday 19th Sept: 9.30am - 5.30pm, Sunday 20th Sept: 9.30am - 4pm
Fee	Adult (Under 13 Years Free with Adult) $15.00
Book	ticketek.com.au
The Baby Show is the essential new event dedicated to pregnancy, baby and toddler and promises an inspiring and stylish day out. Every part of the event is family-friendly, creating a truly valuable and enjoyable experience. Highlights include Mummy & Baby fashion shows, personal consultations and advice, live demonstrations and even free childcare and private feeding & changing facilities. The Baby Show Shopping Village offers a gorgeous range of high quality products from distinguished brands and stylish boutiques. View all brands at: Thebabyshow.com.au Enjoy an even easier shopping experience with the Shop & Drop service - simply drop off your shopping bags throughout the day and collect when you're ready. You can also ask the team of Baby Show Porters for a helping hand with anything at the show, from carrying heavy bags, tackling stairs to packing your stroller into your car! Check out essential advice and ideas in the Bio-Oil Mummy & Baby Seminar Theatre, where experts and specialists will be presenting a range of key topics. Get invaluable insights into sleep patterns, feeding techniques, nutrition and exercise for pregnancy and beyond and much more. A unique day out for expecting and new families, The Baby Show is the perfect place for essential shopping, fashion, advice and care.

The Sound Garden
Venue	Melbourne Opera Centre
Date	Friday 8 May 2009
Time	11am
At 11am on Friday 8 May 2009 Opera Australia's education and touring arm Oz Opera will launch its engaging production of The Sound Garden at the Melbourne Opera Centre in front of 40 primary school children from Olympic Village Primary School and Furlong Park School for the Deaf, prior to taking the production to over 130 schools across Victoria. Catherine loves Ricardo. Unfortunately, so does Cassandra! Catherine's Valentines Day plans go horribly wrong when Cassandra uses the magic of the Sound Garden to steal Ricardo away. But will all three friends be true to their hearts? This magical piece, by Australian composer David Montgomery, explores the issues of friendship, love, betrayal and regret. The libretto by Anne Roylance follows the journey of Catherine, Ricardo and Cassandra on Valentine's Day when Catherine decides to send her secret love a Valentine's Day card confiding in her "so called" friend Cassandra. The lyrics are underpinned by remarkable keyboard and percussion soundscapes to create a unique musical experience that combines traditional opera with African and Middle Eastern influences.

Daniella Rahme:new face of Centro Bankstown
Venue	Centro Bankstown in Sydney's South-West
Date	10 - 12 September
Time	11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm daily with additional shows at 5.30pm, 6.30pm and 7.30pm on the Thursday night
Glamorous local girl Daniella Rahme, recently crowned Miss Lebanon Australia, has been named the new face of Centro Bankstown. As part of her new role Daniella will be making special guest appearances at Centro Bankstown's Spring/Summer fashion parades, taking place 10 - 12 September, and features in the stylish new Centro Bankstown fashion catalogue. Only just back in the country after a whirlwind promotional visit to Lebanon, Daniella is looking forward to wowing the crowds when the fashion parades take place in Centre Court at Centro Bankstown. She'll also be fundraising in centre for her charity of choice, The Starlight Children's Foundation, during the fashion events. Visit the centre during the fashion parades to make your hard earned dollar go further. Simply spend $60 at any one of Centro Bankstown's fashion specialty stores and receive a free $20 fashion voucher to spend in centre.

IMAX Melbourne Museum What's On
Venue	IMAX Melbourne Museum, Rathdowne Street, Carlton
Date	May to August 2009
Time	Films screen daily from 10.00am
Book	www.imaxmelbourne.com.au or call 03 9663 5454
Star Trek: The IMAX Experience Star Trek - the hugely anticipated new addition to the blockbuster movie and TV megaseries - will be released in IMAX, a day before its US release, for a limited two week season. From director J.J. Abrams and screenwriters Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci (Transformers, MI: III) comes a new vision of the greatest space adventure of all time, Star Trek, featuring a young, new crew venturing boldly where no man has gone before. Date: May 7 - for a limited two week season Tickets: $21.00 adults, $17.50 concession, $16.00 child, $60.00 family (2 adults & 2 children) Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian - The IMAX Experience Experience a night in the Smithsonian Museum with Ben Stiller, on the world's third largest screen, at IMAX Melborune Museum. It's a new "Night" and "Museum" for Ben Stiller, who is joined by several other stars from the original film, as well as new characters from history -- including Amy Adams as famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart, Hank Azaria as villainous Egyptian pharaoh Kahmunrah, Christopher Guest as Russian tyrant Ivan the Terrible and Alain Chabat as Napoleon. Owen Wilson is back as cowboy Jedediah, and Robin Williams again rides into history as Teddy Roosevelt. Receive free entry to Melbourne Museum with every Night at the Museum 2 ticket purchased. Valid untilJune 21. Date: May 21 Tickets: $21.00 adults, $17.50 concession, $16.00 child, $60.00 family (2 adults & 2 children) Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen - The IMAX Experience One of this year's biggest movies just got bigger! Director Michael Bay has shot six sequences of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen with IMAX® cameras. This marks the second time ever (after The Dark Knight) that a major feature film has been partially shot using IMAX® cameras. This stunning integration of the two film formats will translate into full screen images that will fill IMAX Melbourne Museum's 32 metre x 23 metre screen. The battle for Earth has ended but the battle for the universe has just begun. After returning to Cybertron, Starscream assumes command of the Decepticons, and has decided to return to Earth with force. The Autobots believing that peace was possible finds out that Megatron's dead body has been stolen from the US Military by Skorpinox and revives him using his own spark. Now Megatron is back seeking revenge and with Starscream and more Decepticon reinforcements on the way, the Autobots with reinforcements of their own, may have more to deal with then meets the eye. Date: June 24 Tickets: $21.00 adults, $17.50 concession, $16.00 child, $60.00 family (2 adults & 2 children) Van Gogh: Brush with Genius Experience Van Gogh's works on his largest canvas ever, with the new IMAX film Van Gogh: A Brush with Genius. Filmed entirely in 15/70mm film in France and the Netherlands, Van Gogh: A Brush with Genius captures the breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary colours of Van Gogh's most famous works, seen for the first time with the stunning visual effects of IMAX technology. This film traces this artist's remarkable journey from the time of his first canvasses at the age of 27 to the masterpieces he produces before his tragic death at age 37. Told through the eyes of Van Gogh and based on more than 900 personal letters, this film takes you on an emotional journey through the life and work of this troubled artist and the immense joy and pain he experienced. Date: August 13 Tickets: $17.50 Adult, $14 Concession, $12.50 Child, $50.00 family (2 adults & 2 children) Under the Sea 3D Dive into an underwater adventure like no other at IMAX Melbourne Museum with Under the Sea 3D. Audiences will be transported in spectacular IMAX 3D to dazzling underwater worlds and their remarkable inhabitants -- from tiny Flamboyant Cuttlefishes to the fearsome Great White Shark. From the award winning documentary filmmaker Howard Hall, Under the Sea 3D takes moviegoers to some of the world's most exotic and isolated underwater locations. Audiences come face to face with mysterious and stunning sea creatures living in the Great Barrier Reef and in waters around Southern Australia and the Coral Triangle islands of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Date: Now Showing Tickets: $17.50 Adult, $14 Concession, $12.50 Child, $50.00 family (2 adults & 2 children)

The Monster Trucks
Venue	Dapto Showground
Date	19 September 2009
Time	Gates open at 4pm. Show starts at 6pm
A huge action packed night of high octane thrills featuring Monster Trucks including: Australian Champion Outback Thunda, Warner Bros Batman, Scooby Doo and the all new Taz Monster Trucks. Also the Mystery Machine Jet Van meltdown, human inferno, motorcycle stunts, massive fireworks sky show together with other great stunt acts. At the free Pit Party, meet the drivers and get up close to a Monster Truck.

What's On at Immigration Museum
Venue	Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Date	April to June 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm
Fee	Admission: Adult $8, child/concession FREE
Book	More info 13 11 02 or museumvictoria.com.au/immigration museum
Talanoa: Stories of the Fiji community The name Fiji evokes a tropical paradise in the minds of many Australians, but this island nation has a troubled history. Talanoa (a Fijian word for 'story-telling') explores how and why Fiji-born people came to Victoria, and what values, beliefs and practices they have brought with them. The diverse and growing Fiji community presents a thought-provoking account of the relationships that sustain their connection with Fiji and have shaped their settlement in a new land. Dates: Until 19 July 2009 Centre for Multicultural Youth 20th Anniversary Exhibition Celebrate the Centre for Multicultural Youth as it supports the needs of migrant and refugee young people. The exhibition will include: Voices of Young Australia (stories of strong, inspiring young people) and Multicultural Youth-Led Futures (a poster series of leadership initiatives by migrant and refugee young people). Dates: Until 7 June 2009 Who am I as a citizen? Religion, ethnicity and citizenship How do religion, ethnicity and citizenship shape us? Find out in this fascinating public conversation, with two speakers: the Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan OAM (Abbot of Quang Minh Temple) and Ms Toltu Tufa (a Muslim community worker with the East African community, and also appearing in SBS TV's Salam Cafe). Discussing life as a citizen in a religiously and culturally diverse society, this series of ten monthly conversations aims to create public dialogue between people of different backgrounds and religious traditions. Moderated by Penny Mulvey of Positive Media, the sessions will explore issues relevant in our multi-faith society and relevant to the upcoming Parliament of the World's Religions in Melbourne. Date: Sunday 14 June 2009, 2.50pm to 4.30pm Cultural Diversity Quest Awards Exhibition The Quest Awards encourage Victorian students to celebrate their State's cultural diversity through creative expression. Announced during Cultural Diversity Week, the winning entries will be shown at the Immigration Museum in an exhibition opening for Refugee Week. Students' works reflect their investigation of cultural diversity within their school and community, and encompass a wide range of materials, techniques and ideas. Dates: From 20 June 2009 Ancient Hampi: The Hindu Kingdom Brought to Life This international exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the stunning World Heritage site of Hampi in southern India. Using state of the art digital technologies, this new experience presents stereographic panoramas of an extraordinary site, with all its mythological, archaeological, artistic and historic significance. Ancient Hampi includes animations of Hindu myths and stories, aerial and projected photography, an immersive digital interactive space showing 360-degree panoramic images of the site and is landscape, as well as stunning night photographs of the temples taken by John Gollings. Dates: Until 26 January 2010

Rosie Burgess
Venue	Brass Monkey, 115a Cronulla Street, Cronulla, NSW
Date	Oct 25, 2009
Time	8:00 pm

ACMI
Venue	Federation Square, Melbourne
Date	Thu 30 Apr - May 5th
JAZZ ON FILM Thu 30 Apr 7.30pm, Sat 2 May 7.30pm Let's Get Lost M Bruce Weber, 120 mins, USA, 1989, 35mm. Source/Courtesy: Little Bear Inc. Renowned photographer and filmmaker Bruce Weber weaves together in glorious black and white the tragic rise and fall of jazz idol Chet Baker, once described as a cross between James Dean and Jack Kerouac. The documentary traces Baker's story from his rise in the jazz world as a celebrated trumpeter and singer playing with the likes of Charlie Parker, to his tragic decline in the 1980s which saw the fading of his matinee idol looks, his struggle to book gigs and his battle with heroin addiction. Fri 1 May 9.15pm Sun Ra: Space is the Place M John Coney, 85 mins, USA, 1974, 35mm. Source/Courtesy: Jim Newman Space age prophet, jester, shaman-philosopher and avant-jazz keyboardist Sun Ra lands his spaceship in Oakland and disembarks on a musical odyssey that takes in black power, inner-city rap sessions and a world concert to blow your mind. Originally released in a truncated version due to cuts requested by Sun Ra (apparently due to prudishness over the more salacious elements of the plot), Space is the Place was re-released in 2003 with the reinstated scenes, cementing the film's cult reputation as the trippiest sci-fi-meets-blaxploitation film ever! FIRST LOOK: MUSIC IN MAY Thu 30 Apr 7pm, Fri 1 May 7pm, Sat 2 May 7pm, Sun 3 May 5.30pm Sounds Like Teen Spirit: A Popumentary unclassified 15+ Jamie Jay Johnson, 100 mins, UK, 2008, Digital Betacam, English, Flemish, Bulgarian, Georgian, Cypriot Greek with English subtitles. Source: Beyond Entertainment A super-sequined spawn of its over-the-top-pop spectacular parent, the Junior Eurovision Song Contest is just as heady and extravagant, yet has a wildly more endearing display of driven young talent. This documentary follows a handful of creative teens vying for junior Eurovision stardom who must write and perform their own songs and wow millions of voting viewers in a live telecast. The fame and ecstasy of representing their countries - from Cyprus to Serbia - compel the kids to produce mind-boggling showstoppers of gaudy costumes and choreography as the film lays bare the hard-won joys of victory and unavoidable agonies of defeat. Australian premiere! FREE PUBLIC PROGRAM > DIGITAL STORYTELLING Sun 3 May 2 pm A Series of Firsts: Panel Talk This exclusive screening and panel discussion of A Series of Firsts short documentaries will be followed by a panel discussion on women in leadership including The Hon Joan Kirner, The Hon Gracia Baylor and Dur-e Dara. Studio 1 > FREE! Tickets available from the ACMI Box Office on the day

Jazz up your June long weekend at Darling Harbour 3 days, 5 stages and 48 bands...
Venue	Darling Harbour
Date	Saturday 6 to Monday 8 June 2009 (June long weekend)
Time	Fireworks at 7pm on Sunday 7 June
Fee	FREE!
Book	www.darlingharbour.com
Get into Sydney's biggest FREE Jazz event this June long weekend as Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority presents a stellar line up of blues, soul, funk and swing talent at the renowned Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival. From big open air sets to intimate jazz sessions in striking surrounds, Sydney's most anticipated FREE annual music festival will transform Darling Harbour into a musical extravaganza with the sassy, suave and scintillating sounds of jazz, blues, funk, soul, big band swing, hip pop, jazz-rock, R&B and New Orleans jazz. celebrating its 19th year, the festival will feature FREE performances by more than 48 sensational artists on five outdoor stages including James Morrison, Carl Riseley, Anita Wardell (UK), Elana Stone, Mr Percival, Dan Sultan, Tina Harrod Band, Mighty Reapers, Jeff Lang, The Bakery and Swing City. For the first time ever, you can step onboard the South Steyne and lose yourself in The Jazz Club - an intimate live lounge from 7pm to 11pm, Friday to Sunday of the festival. With surprise special guests dropping in to join jazz greats Rick Robertson (Friday) and John Morrison (Saturday and Sunday), every night The Jazz Club promises something different with a majestic view of the city skyline vista and sparkling water of Cockle Bay ($10 at the door - includes one drink). Young jazz fans can get up close and personal with one of Australia's best jazz artists. John Morrison will run free, big band workshops on Saturday and Sunday. The 1-hour sessions will start at 11am in Tumbalong Park. Head to the Chinese Garden of Friendship and soak up the smooth jazz sounds of Jim Pennell and Glenn Heinrich as you enjoy some lunch and wander along enchanted laneways and stunning water pavilions. The jazz duo will perform daily in the Garden from 10.30am to 2.30pm. The festival will also showcase the talents of many renowned Aussie performers including Amanda Baker, Bernie McGann Quartet, Doc Span, EON Beats, Geoff Bull's New Orleans Jazz Band, James Valentine Quartet, Jeff Duff & The Prophets, Linda Cable, Miguel, Old Spice Boys, Steve Clisby band, Weird Assembly, Zyke and more! With such a diverse range of music, you don't have to be a jazz aficionado to enjoy this family-friendly event! Stick around for the fireworks at 7pm on Sunday night and enjoy a long weekend of jazz brilliance with some of the country's finest musicians! The Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival is part of the official program of celebrations to mark Darling Harbour's 21st anniversary in 2009.

Let's get ready to Rrrrrumba!
Venue	Darling Harbour
Date	2-5 October
Time	from 12pm-10pm; Fiesta Nights - 6.30pm-10pm
Friday 2 October FIESTA NIGHTS The hugely popular DJ Frank Madrid will kick start Fiesta's weekend of hot entertainment at 6.30pm on the Aquashell stage, followed by Afro-Colombian rock band Watussi at 7pm. Also performing at Fiesta’s opening night will be the highly acclaimed, double-Grammy award winners Aterciopelados from Colombia. Saturday 3 October Starting at 12pm, Fiesta's Saturday schedule includes a vibrant hot-pot of the salsa sounds, Latin rhythms and funky beats of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Spain, Uruguay, Mexico, Ecuador and more at Tumbalong Park, Palm Grove and Harbourside Amphitheatre. With: The renowned I Like It Like That Orchestra, So you think you can dance? At 6.30pm Celebrity Dancers of Latin America will take to the stage for a 30-minute non-stop dance explosion that will encompass bombos, salsa, rumba, gauchos, funky Cumbia beats, cha cha cha and reggaeton b-boys! Venezuela's musical ambassadors and one of the biggest bands in the Latin music world, Bailatino will perform two sets of their internationally acclaimed classic salsa that will have spectators scrambling for the dancefloor. Between sets, the dancefloor will be thumping to the best contemporary Latin beats mixed by DJ Dwight 'Chocolate' Escobar. Sunday 4 October Skip your Sunday siesta and say buenos dias! to another day of contagious rhythms and hot South American entertainment including Mucho Mumbo's tribute to the Grammy-award winning, Hollywood actor, Ruben Blades. Mucho Mumbo will perform some of the unforgettable songs that turned Ruben into a Latin music status symbol, including the biggest selling salsa single in history, Pedro Navaja. Cuban singer Gonzalo Porta and the Sydney Salsa All Stars will perform the Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms that exploded in the melting pot of New York City in the early 70s and marked salsa music forever. Hot on the heels of their Saturday performance, Bailatino will heat up Tumbalong Park with another salsa extravaganza and the daily dance lessons will continue at Palm Grove with a focus on tango and the latest dance sensation, rueda. From traditional to upbeat, elegant to spicy and modern to funky, the Celebrity Dancers of Latin America will ignite Sunday’s Fiesta Nights from 6.30pm followed by 13-piece band, Mi Tierra, at 7pm. Mi Tierra's renowned sound is characterised by a pulsating rhythm and percussion section, layered with breathtaking vocals, tight punching horns and unique riffs of timba Cubana â€" a sizzling brew of traditional Cuban music, jazz, hip hop and R&B. A kaleidoscope of colourful fireworks will light up the sky over Cockle Bay at 7.30pm. Monday 5 October Darling Harbour Fiesta promises a flame-hot finale to its long weekend of entertainment including Soul Sacrifice â€" A celebration of the music of Carlos Santana. Some of Australia’s preeminent Latin musicians will collaborate to perform this unique Latin rock tribute to Santana’s Grammy award winning blend of Latin, blues, rock and Cuban music.

Celebrate Darling Harbour's 21st Anniversary
Venue	Darling Harbour
Date	Sunday 3 May
Time	FREE
Book	www.darlingharbour.com
Multicultural Carnivale at Tumbalong Park Starting at 11am, Tumbalong Park will host an enormous Multicultural Carnivale that will feature everything from Indigenous performers, contemporary Indian music and Korean dancers to Polish folkloric groups, Carribean reggae bands and Spanish flamenco dancers. Some of the highlights include West African dancers and drummers Mohata, and the South American rhythms of Los Gaucho featuring Argentinean Zapateo and Boleadoras dancers. Circle of Rhythm will also perform their renowned blend of Indian, Polynesian and Japanese rhythms featuring the tabla, sitar and drums. Students from Alexandria Park Community School will display the traditional nowey - an indigenous stringy-bark canoe - and demonstrate their crafting skills as they build model versions of the nowey. Children's Corner on Curtain Call Lawn Four hours of kids' entertainment will kick off at 12pm at Curtain Call Lawn. Kids will love the zany antics of Leo the Clown and Ace P Freckle, and they can even create their own quirky head gear at hat-making workshops hosted by Circus Solarus. Budding photographers from four to 16 years of age can enter a photographic competition to win one of ten Darling Harbour experience packages. Two special photographic workshops will be held at 12.30pm and 2.30pm where kids can learn the basics on taking photographs and tips on what makes a good image. Kids can capture images based on their 'Celebrations at Darling Harbour' every day from 3 May until the competition closes on 18 October. There is a first prize, runner-up prize and a people's choice award for all photographs entered in each of three categories: 4-6 years, 7-11 years and 12-16 years. World Music on the Aquashell at Harbourside From 2pm, the Aquashell will showcase some of Australia's best world music artists. Australia's leading world music band, Marsala will kick start the Aquashell entertainment. Musicians from West Africa, Russia, Italy, Spain and Macedonia team up with local artists to create a cultural banquet that embraces everything from the music of Zimbabwe and Senegal to the music of Tom Waits and Paolo Conte - with tangos, gypsy music, Macedonian love songs, Spanish rumbas, and everything in between. Sonora Galaxia, Australia's most popular Latin show band will perform an exhilarating mix of their hot and spicy rhythms including rumba, salsa, mambo and Latin pop, followed by the powerful grooves and infectious contemporary beats of African and American group, Panjea. Carnivale Parade At 5.45pm visitors can join in the Carnivale Parade with all the multicultural performers as they make their way from Tumbalong Park to Cockle Bay via the Urban Stream. Gala Concert and Fireworks Finale on Cockle Bay The Gala Concert will open with a traditional Indigenous dance performance on the Aquashell at 6.15pm. Wes Carr will take centre stage at 6.25pm to perform a selection of songs from his recently released debut album The Way the World Looks including the hits You and Feels Like Whoa. The highly acclaimed drumming group TaikOz will combine the visceral power of Japanese taiko and the ethereal sound of bamboo shakuhachi with a breathtaking synchronised fireworks spectacular to create a dramatic, explosive finale.

The Saddle Club In-Store Appearance
Date	Tuesday 21st April-24th April
Share the fun when internationally acclaimed children's program, The Saddle Club hits the road this April with a series of instore performances and signings. Come along and see Stevie, Carole and Lisa perform songs from the new album 'Best Friends'. The performances will be followed by an exclusive signing for fans. The Saddle Club tv series brings to life the adventures of three young girls, Stevie (Lauren Dixon), Carole (Victoria Campbell) and Lisa (Ariel Kaplan) who share friendship and the love of their horses Belle, Starlight and Prancer at Pine Hollow Stables. This will be the first time the leading cast, Stevie, Carole and Lisa have been reunited since filming the tv series last year. Fans will be treated to their debut performances to Australian audiences as well a chance to meet the cast with an exclusive signing by all three leading cast members at the following venues. TUESDAY 21ST APRIL - ROYAL EASTER SHOW, SYDNEY SHOWGROUNDS, NSW -1.30PM and 4PM (signing only) WEDNESDAY 22ND APRIL - WESTFIELD, HORNSBY, NSW - 2PM THURSDAY 23RD APRIL - WARRINGAH MALL, MANLY, NSW - 5.30PM FRIDAY 24TH APRIL - WESTFIELD, FIGTREE, NSW - 2PM

Red Bull Junior Surf Masters
Venue	North Cronulla Beach, Cnr Kingsway & Elouera Road
Date	Sunday, August 30
Time	The Retreat 12.30pm - Urthboy 2.00pm - Children Collide 3.30pm
Red Bull Junior Surf Masters Finals is taking over Cronulla beach for three days of sun, surf and music mayhem! Fast shaping up to be a must-attend event, the mega-music line up to accompany the surf finals has just been announced. Getting ready to rip it up surf side on Sunday 30 August are Children Collide, Urthboy and Sydney locals, The Retreat. Melbourne punk rock outfit Children Collide stormed onto the Australian music scene in 2005 with their groundbreaking EP 'We Three Brave & True'. The release of their second EP, 'Glass Mountain Lairs' followed closely in 2006, and served to further cement their position as serious contenders on the Aussie rock circuit. Their critically acclaimed debut album 'The Long Now' has been a massive hit amongst critics and fans alike - 'The Long Now is the perfect record for it's time' - Jaymz Clements, Beat Magazine. Having shared the bill with some of Australia's finest (The Living End, Hoodoo Gurus, Grinspoon) Children Collide have refined the art of playing live and rocking it - this band is not to be missed!

What's On at Scienceworks
Venue	Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood. (Melway 56, B1).
Date	April to June 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 4.30pm
Fee	Admission: Adults $8, Children and Concession FREE.
Book	For further details ph 03 9392 4800 or visit www.museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks
STAR WARS: Where Science Meets Imagination Could cars that hover above the ground become the mass transit of the future? Will we ever have druids like C-3PO in real life? Fantasy and reality join forces in Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. This is the first exhibition to showcase more than 80 costumes, models and props from all six Star Wars films. Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, presented by Bose Corporation, was developed by the Museum of Science, Boston and Lucasfilm Ltd. The exhibition is based upon work supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, USA. © 2009 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Presented by Bose Corporation. Date: 4 June to 3 November 2009 Cost: $18 Adults, $8 Concession, $6 Children (includes entry to Scienceworks) New Lightning Room show: Amps, Arcs and Sparks Find out how sound travels, how an electric guitar works and how we can predict the distance of an approaching lightning storm in this 30 minute electrifying show starring sound waves and live lightning bolts. Date: Now showing, check the website for times Cost: $13 Adults, $Concession, $3.50 Children (includes entry to Scienceworks) Mathamazing - exhibition coming soon Explore the mathematics behind everyday life! Mathamazing includes hands-on activities based on topics such as shapes, probability, sequences and series, puzzles, problem solving, topology and building. Developed by Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre, Canberra. Date: From 2 May Cost: Included with Scienceworks admission Imagination Factory - Invent and Play Discover how simple machines can be used to create ingenious inventions. Investigate basic mechanical tools and find out how we use gears, levers, pulleys and cams in everyday life. With dozens of hands-on interactive exhibits, this exhibition will have the gears of your mind spinning with new ways to think about the mechanical world around you. Developed by Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre, Canberra. Proudly supported by Raytheon Date: Until 3 May 2009 Cost: $11 Adults, $3.50 children and $4 concession (includes entry to Scienceworks)

What's On at ACMI
Venue	ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne
Date	Aug 26 - Sept 1, 2009
Anna May Wong on Film Thu 27 Aug 7pm (Premiere) Rediscovered, like silent film sirens Louise Brooks and Josephine Baker before her, the cinematic legacy of Anna May Wong has rightly been reappraised in recent years and is celebrated in a spotlight program of silent and sound films screening alongside a new biographical documentary. Marc Jacobs on Film Sat 29 Aug 8pm, Tue 1 Sep 8.30pm Celebrating 25 years in the fashion industry, the designer who brought grunge to the catwalk continues to surprise and inspire with his unique take on downtown chic. Presented as part of the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Slaves of New York M Mon 31 Aug 8.30pm, Tue 1 Sep 1.30pm New York was arguably the centre of the creative world in the 1980s. You might have bumped into Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat or hat designer, Eleanor. Well, maybe not. But you can see her in this classic slice of New York artistic life, when Marc Jacobs was also finding his feet as a fashion designer. Director of A Room with a View, James Ivory swaps crinolines for shoulder pads and big hair in this slice of New York life.

Sydney Film Festival
Date	3-14 June 2009
Sydney Film Festival today announced the first four films that have been selected for the SFF Official Competition and revealed a glimpse of the 2009 program, inviting audiences to start creating their own personal festival experience. The full line-up will be announced on Wednesday 13 May 2009. Sydney Film Festival runs from Wednesday 3 to Sunday 14 June 2009. The four Official Competition films revealed today, all screening in Australia for the very first time, are strong indicators of the calibre and diversity of this year's line-up: -Coraline (Henry Selick, USA) - The director of The Nightmare Before Christmas creates an extraordinary gothic fairytale world in the first stop-motion feature shot in stereoscopic 3D, based on Neil Gamain's beloved novel and featuring the voices of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French; -Disgrace (Steve Jacobs, Australia) - This haunting adaptation of the bestselling novel by Nobel Prize-winning author JM Coetzee features a masterful performance from John Malkovich and is set in South Africa's Eastern Cape; -Louise-Michel (Gustave de Kervern and Benoît Delépine, France) - From the creators of cult hit Aaltra (2004) comes a pitch black comedy about job-loss, vengeance and inept assassins set against the economic downtown in Europe; -The Maid (Sebastian Silva, Chile) fresh from its award-winning success at the Sundance Film Festival comes this intricate comedy/drama about a long serving (and suffering) household maid who becomes vengeful towards the wealthy family for whom she works.

Kids are the Kings of Royal Randwick: City Tattersalls Day
Venue	Alison Road, Royal Randwick Racecourse
Date	Saturday 17th October 2009
Fee	General Admission: $15 Members Guest: $40
Book	ticketek.com.au
Kids will reign at Royal Randwick on City Tattersalls Day, an action packed day of racing filled with entertainment for the whole family. A Kids' Wonderland including pony rides and jumping castles will keep them entertained while mum and dad enjoy the usual sophisticated trappings of a glamorous day watching the sport of kings. Aspiring princes and princesses will also have the chance to show off their best spring outfits with the Kids' Fashions on the Field. Entry is free for children under 18.

A Feast of Film, Food & Music: 12th Spanish Film Festival
Venue	Palace Cinema Como & Kino Cinemas
Date	13-25 May
The 12th Spanish Film Festival is a feast of film, food, music and all things Spanish. The program of more than 50 features, documentaries and short films kicks off on May 6 in Sydney, before travelling to Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. Dates & Locations Sydney: 6-18 May at Palace Academy Twin, Palace Norton Street & Chauvel Canberra: 7-14 May at Dendy Canberra City Canberra: 21 May - 7 June at ARC (National Film & Sound Archive) Melbourne: 13-25 May at Palace Cinema Como & Kino Cinemas Adelaide: 14-17 May at Palace Eastend Cinemas Brisbane: 21-31 May at Palace Centro Perth: 20-27 May at Cinema Paradiso The Exhibition, BUÑUEL - AMIGOS Y PELICULAS (FRIENDS AND FILMS): Sydney: 28 April - 24 May at Customs House Gallery Canberra: 29 April - late August at National Film & Sound Archive Melbourne: 2 May - 29 May at City of Melbourne Library The BUÑUEL Retrospective screens: Sydney: 6-18 May as part of the Spanish Film Festival at Palace Academy Twin, Palace Norton Street & Chauvel Canberra: 21 May - 7 June at ARC Cinema (National Film & Sound Archive) Melbourne: 13-25 May as part of the Spanish Film Festival at Palace Cinema Como, and Kino Cinemas

Salvador Dali: Liquid Desire exhibition
Venue	NGV International (enter via main Waterwall entrance)
Date	Sunday 6 Septem
Time	9amâ€"11.30am
Fee	$60 Family / $40 NGV Member Family (includes exhibition fee, bookings essential)
Book	*Bookings are essential and exhibition entry is included in family ticket
To celebrate Father's Day, the National Gallery of Victoria will be hosting a special Family Morning on Sunday 6 September. Enjoy the Salvador Dali: Liquid Desire exhibition in a family-friendly atmosphere. This exclusive event will open at the special time of 9am with talks for kids, art activities and fantastic family entertainment in the Great Hall. An opportunity to view the exhibition in a family-friendly atmosphere. Opening at the special time of 9am, enjoy talks for kids between 9.15am and 10am, followed by art activities and entertainment in the Great Hall.

Symphony of Color and Life
Venue	72 Erskine
Date	Sunday 3rd May
Time	2pm
Fee	$28 and $24 for concession
Book	are essential call 02 9299 9779 or email info@72erskine.com
Meet the artists and preview the exhibition while Elen Rapoport on piano and Attialla Sautov on biolin perform popular pieces from Pagnini, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaniov, Handel and more. Also featuring Mussorgsky's composition 'Pictures at an Exhibition' - performed by Elen Rapoporta and accompanied by her visual interpretation of this music cycle.

Warrnambool Chocolate Week
Date	September 28 - October 4, 2009
The scrumptious week will offer families and couples alike the opportunity to indulge in these mouth watering treats at a number of chocolate events, held at more than 40 locations including:- -A Chocolate Hunt at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village Fun for the whole family as the kids search under the flagstaff for hidden chocolate treats. 10.30am Sat October 3, 2009 - Flagstaff Hill - Entry is FREE to the chocolate hunt site -Chocolate River Cruise Cruise down the Hopkins River with Warrnambool River Cruises and enjoy free hot chocolates on board! 2pm Sat October 3 2009-Hopkins River -Chocolate Master Classes Get involved in a Chocolate Master Class and learn the tricks of working with chocolate. There are classes available for kids and adults. There are three classes available:- -Kids Master Class (6-10 year olds) 10am - 11am September 30, 2009 -Kids Master Class (11-15 year olds) 11.30pm-12.30pm September 30, 2009 -Master Class (16 years +) 1pm - 3pm October 1, 2009 Tafe Warrnambool, entry from Kepler Street via the pink roller door -Chocolate Movie Screening Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Take a trip down memory lane, with one of the most delicious movie musicals ever made. Join Dick Van Dyke and his magical automobile for a trip to a mystical, musical world full of pirates, castles and plenty of old-fashioned fun! Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be the perfect school holiday treat and the ideal way to celebrate chocolate week. All tickets only $5. 12pm Thurs October 1, 2009, Warrnambool Entertainment Centre -Chocolate Cocktail Hours Tantalize your taste buds with a Chocolate Martini, Chocolate Covered Strawberrytini or a Chocolate Tequila Rose served on the hour at the following locations: Donnellys, The Lady Bay Resort, The Sebel, City Memorial Bowls Club, Warrnambool Hotel, Clovelly Restaurant, Rowans Lane Winery, Maceys Bistro, Pasta La Vista, Pippies by the bay, Proudfoots and Whalers Inn / Balenas Restaurant. -Chocolate Tasting Be tempted with sample tastings of Warrnambool's locally made chocolate, as well as international chocolates and sweets. Daily- Brumbys Centro, Darriwill Farm, Cheeseworld, Heritage Sweet Co, The Cheesecake Shop, G.O.R.G.E Chocolates and Seaclaid Coffee Shop.

Short + Sweet Communities Festival
Venue	The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville NSW 2042, SYDNEY
Date	20 April - 21 April
Time	7 pm
Book	www.shortandsweet.org www.factorytheatre.com.au
SHORT+SWEET is the largest ten minute play festival in the world, and it was started here in Sydney. The exciting concept for S+S is becoming more & more global and is rapidly expanding with the introduction of SHORT+SWEET DANCE, SHORT+SWEET MUSICAL THEATRE, SHORT+SWEET FAST+FRESH, SHORTER+SWEETER and now SHORT+SWEET COMMUNITY!

WotWots: Richard Taylor
Date	2nd to 4th September
Time	12pm, 2pm, 4pm (40min appearances)
Richard Taylor is the royalty of pre-schoolers having created the WotWots with internationally acclaimed author and children's television creator, Martin Baynton of Jane and the Dragon fame. Taylor's company, Weta Workshop's past credits have included providing physical and digital effects for films including The Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong, The Chronicals of Narnia and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. For The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Weta provided the design, fabrication and on-set operation of the creatures, special make-up effects and prosthetics, miniatures, armour and weaponry. Richard and his team have won many international film awards including five Academy Awards and three BAFTAS. Wednesday 2nd September Toys R Us Parramatta: Westfield Shoppingtown, Parramatta 159-175 Church St Parramatta NSW 2150 Thursday 3rd September Toys R Us Doncaster: Westfield Doncaster, Doncaster 619 Doncaster Road, Doncaster VIC 3108 Friday 4th September Toys R Us Mt Gravatt: Garden City Shopping Centre, Mt Gravatt Cnr Logan & Kessels Rd, Upper Mt Gravatt QLD 4122

So You Think You Can Dance
Venue	Rod Laver Arena
Date	Thu 9 Jul
Time	3pm & 7.30pm
Book	www.ticketek.com.au

WWE RAW
Venue	Rod Laver Arena
Date	Tue 7 Jul
Time	7.30pm
Book	www.ticketek.com.au

Gerringong Movie's
Venue	Gerringong Town Hall, Gerringong, NSW 2534
Date	Sep 4, 2009
Gerringong Town Hall on Fern Street becomes a cinema once a month; shows a new movie each month. By joining Gerringong Pics and Flicks, you can attend all screenings and activities ...

Disney on Ice presents Princess Wishes
Venue	Rod Laver Arena
Date	1st July- 6th July
Time	11am & 2.30pm
Book	www.ticketek.com.au
1, 2, 3, 5 Jul, 11am & 2.30pm, Sat 4 Jul, 11am, 2.30pm & 6pm, Mon 6 Jul, 11am

What's On at Scienceworks
Venue	Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood. (Melway 56, B1).
Date	August to September 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 4.30pm
Fee	Adults $8, Children and Concession FREE.
Book	For further details ph 03 9392 4800 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination Could cars that hover above the ground become the mass transit of the future? Date: Until 3 November 2009 Cost: $18 Adults, $8 Concession, $6 Children (includes entry to Scienceworks) Pre-purchase tickets to avoid disappointment. Discover the Night Sky Evening Planetarium Program The Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks presents special after-dark sessions, Thursday evenings in August. Each evening will showcase a different aspect of the night sky: Thursday 6 August: Leaving Earth Thursday 13 August: Our Solar System Thursday 20 August: Milky Way Galaxy Session times: Commence 7pm. Cost: $25 per person, MV members $20, Season pass $85. Bookings essential: Cracking the Einstein Code - Relativity and the Birth of Black Hole Physics Guest lecture by Professor Fulvio Melia, University of Arizona, USA Join astrophysicist Fulvio Melia as he gives an eyewitness account of the events leading up to the cracking of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity. What are black holes? What place do they have in the Universe? Date: Friday 11 September Time: 6:30pm Cost: $15 per person; MV members and concessions: $12.50 per person Bookings essential. Mathamazing Explore the mathematics behind everyday life. Mathamazing includes hands-on activities based on topics such as shapes, probability, sequences and series, puzzles, problem solving, topology and building. Date: Until 6 December Cost: Included with Scienceworks admission National Science Week 2009 Four of Scienceworks National Science Week events include: BASF Kids' Lab Experience the fascinating world of chemistry! Run by BASF chemists, the chemistry workshops introduce chemistry to children in a fun and exciting way through simple and interactive hands-on experiments. Date: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August Time: 11.00am, 1.00 & 3.00pm Bookings essential: Call 9392 4819 Australian Skeptics The Australian Skeptics will be explaining the science behind the paranormal at Scienceworks. See magic illusions, try out a bed of nails and many more surprising demonstrations. Date: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August Time: 11.00am to 4.00pm Inspiring Scientists Biology? Paleontology? Find out about your favourite 'ology' by chatting to inspiring career scientists. Date: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August Time: 11.00 to 4.00pm SCINEMA In National Science Week 2009 we invite you to discover the talent across Australia with SCINEMA â€" exploring science through film. Sit back and relax with SCINEMA in the Discovery Centre and find out about all things science and the great Science Week events in the coming week. Date: Sunday 23 August (Scienceworks only) Time: Daily

Scienceworks Spring School Holiday Program
Venue	Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood
Date	19 September - 4 October
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 4.30pm
Fee	Adults $8, Children and Concession FREE
Book	museumvictoria.com.au/Scienceworks
Join the space race at Scienceworks these school holidays! Make a flying rocket, invent an alien or head out on an astro-adventure as part of the special program of activities running throughout the spring school holidays. Visit website for program details museumvictoria.com.au/Scienceworks

Short + Sweet Communities Festival 2009
Venue	Newtown Theatre, Cnr King and Bray St Newtown NSW 2042, SYDNEY
Date	21 April - 22 April
Time	7 pm
Book	www.shortandsweet.org
SHORT+SWEET is the largest ten minute play festival in the world, and it was started here in Sydney. The exciting concept for S+S is becoming more & more global and is rapidly expanding with the introduction of SHORT+SWEET DANCE, SHORT+SWEET MUSICAL THEATRE, SHORT+SWEET FAST+FRESH, SHORTER+SWEETER and now SHORT+SWEET COMMUNITY!

Royal Garden Party this Autumn Carnival
Venue	Rose Garden Lawn, Royal Randwick
Date	April 11th and April 18th
Time	11:30am - 5:30pm (Drink Service 12:00pm until 5:00pm)
Fee	$99.00 (includes entry to racecourse, Royal Garden Party and three beverages).
Book	Tickets can be booked via ticketek.com
Taking place on the Rose Garden Lawn, Royal Garden Party guests can enjoy elegant surroundings as they sip champagne, dine on gourmet food and punt on some of the world's best horses. Guests will have exclusive access to the Sugar Mill bar, the White Stag bar and the Royal Randwick bar within the Royal Garden Party whilst enjoying the beautiful autumn sun. Among the guests will be the Tooheys New Autumn Carnival Ambassador, Erika Heynatz. Erika says, "The Royal Garden Party is set to be a highlight at this year's Tooheys New Autumn Carnival at Royal Randwick. I'll be there on both David Jones Australian Derby Day and Emirates Doncaster Day. It will be a beautiful setting with elegant daybeds and themed marquees scattered amongst the roses and greenery - the perfect place to enjoy the fun and excitement of the Autumn Racing Carnival". 11th April 2009, David Jones Australian Derby Day 18th April 2009, Emirates Doncaster Day

Spring into a Holiday Course at NIDA
Date	3rd October till the 16th of October
Book	nida.edu.au or phone (02) 9697 7626
For the October school holidays NIDA will be offering some exciting courses from Narnia Dreaming, NIDA at the Stables, film making, TV Presenting, screen acting to Circus and Magic. All of these fun courses will provide a huge variety for children aged 6 to 18 years who are interested in the performing arts. NIDA WHO: 6-8 years. 12 to 13 October Come on a time travelling journey with the Dr and his assistants as he battles evil robots and intergalactic monsters to save the Universe. Film Making @ Elizabeth Bay House: 12-16 years. 13 to 16 October Unlock the secrets of Elizabeth Bay House as you develop screen acting and film making skills on-location. TV Presenting: The Cooking Show: 10-14 years. 3 to 4 October Explore TV presenting and cooking skills as you create your own simulated Jamie Oliver- style segment for television. Music Video Production: 12-16 years. 6 to 9 October Experience the energy and excitement of creating your own music video. Develop your own story inspired by your favourite song. Circus and Magic School:9-13 years. 10 to 11October Discover your inner magician and extend your physical and verbal agility to create circus and magic tricks. Narnia Dreaming: 6-8 years. 3 to 4 October Open the wardrobe door and enter the world of Narnia where you battle the White Witch and outwit Acting Accelerated: 9-16 years 10 to 11 October. Identify and experience the essentials of acting. Develop skills in improvisation, character nd script work over an intensive weekend.

What's On at Melbourne Museum
Venue	Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton
Date	April to June 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 5.00pm
Fee	Admission: Adult $8, children and concession FREE.
Book	For further details phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum
Dinosaur Walk Get ready to walk among, around and even above the Museum's collection of dinosaur skeletons in Dinosaur Walk. Come face-to-face with Amargasaurus and Protoceratop, as well as Quetzalcoatlus, the largest flying animal of all time. Dinosaur fans can touch displays of dinosaur teeth, bones and fossilised poo and discover how dinosaurs moved, what they ate and how they survived in their changing environments. Dinosaur Walk is the first permanent exhibition to be opened as part of Museum Victoria's Science and Life Gallery redevelopment. Date: 3 April 2009 Melbourne Museum Comedy Tour This Comedy Festival, Ben McKenzie, the Man in the Lab Coat, returns to host the Melbourne Museum Comedy Tour. Joining him will be Melbourne comedy legend Janet A. McLeod and The Collectors host and comedian Andy Muirhead for a spooky and exciting trip through Melbourne Museum after hours. Prepare to learn something new and have your funny bone tickled in this evening of science, history and laughter. Date: 16 to 18 April and 23 to 25 April 2009 Cost: $15 adult, $10 concession agIdeas 2009 NewStar The agIdeas NewStar Award is an opportunity for emerging Australian designers to enhance their design career by winning International travelling scholarships. The finalists, ranging from multimedia, 2D or 3D works, are exhibited at Melbourne Museum with winners announced at the agIdeas 2009 International Design Forum. Date: 24 April to 24 May 2009 H.O.P.E. Project Exhibition The H.O.P.E. (Hope, Opportunity, Purpose and Education) Project Exhibition features paintings by Indigenous students from Mildura Primary School that reflect their beliefs about who is important to them, where they feel connected and safe and the difference that being part of the project has made in their lives. Each artwork has a unique personal story attached that represents strong cultural identify and hope for the future. Date: Until 26 June 2009 Top Designs 2009 Be inspired and motivated by the creativity and skills of the best design works from Victoria's final year VCE secondary school design students. Students' works range from film, furniture, fashion, graphic design, mechanics, photography, publishing and food. Top Designs also features the development of the final product. View folios, work briefs, production stages, product evaluations and design plans. Presented in partnership with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority as part of the VCE Season of Excellence. Date: Until 12 July 2009 A Day in Pompeii: Melbourne Winter Masterpieces The drama and tragedy of ancient Pompeii will be showcased in the Melbourne Winter Masterpiece exhibition A Day in Pompeii, on display at Melbourne Museum from 26 June to 25 October 2009. Exclusive to Melbourne, A Day in Pompeii is developed by Museum Victoria in partnership with the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei (SAP), and will feature over 250 objects from daily life in Pompeii and surrounds, as well as a number of body casts. Melbourne Winter Masterpieces is a Victorian Government initiative and is exclusive to Melbourne, Australia. A Day in Pompeii is presented in association with the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei (SAP). Date: 26 June to 11 October 2009 Cost: $20 adult, $14 concession, $12 child, $54 family (includes Museum entry)

Dymo National Organisation Week (N.O.W)
Date	September 7 to 13 2009
Book	nationalorganisingweek.com.au
What: Dymo National Organisation Week (N.O.W) aims to educate people on simple ways to better organise their lives - organisation is freedom! Who: International organisation guru, best-selling author and regular on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Peter Walsh.

The Good Food & Wine Show
Venue	Melbourne Exhibition Centre and Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
Date	June 5-July 5
Fee	Adult: $27.50, Child (6 - 16yrs)*: $20.50, Concession/Groups (10+): $22.50, Ramsay Pass: $80.00
Book	available through Ticketek 13 28 49 or www.goodfoodshow.com.au
Melbourne Good Food & Wine Show Friday June 5 12pm - 4:30pm Friday After Dark Session 5:30pm - 9:30pm Saturday June 6 9am - 6pm Sunday June 7 9am - 6pm Monday June 8 9am - 5pm Sydney Good Food & Wine Show Friday July 3 9am - 4.30pm Friday After Dark Session 5.30pm - 9.30pm Saturday July 4 9am - 6pm Sunday July 5 9am - 5pm The Good Food & Wine Show is adding more features for 2009 catering for all tastes and palates - from celebrity chefs and tricks of the trade to the latest in food and wine. These exciting additions are sure to heighten the visitor experience. -Cheese Masterclasses: Food educator, writer and television presenter, Naomi Crisante, shares her knowledge of 15 years in the cheese industry with a 45 minute tutored tasting. The $30 course includes cheese sampling and matching with various accompaniments and wines, course materials and a 112pg Cheesematters recipe book valued at $19.95. -Wine Masterclasses: Ben Edwards and Dan Sims from the Wine Guide will host hour long masterclasses alongside leading wine commentators including James Halliday, Greg Duncan Powell and Matt Skinner, covering a myriad of wine topics. Such topics will include Australasian Pinot Noir - Trans Tasman rivalry; Mediterranean Inspiration; and food and wine matching comprising of leading sommeliers as panellists. -Lindemans Early Harvest Restaurant: New to the show in 2008, and hugely popular in its first year, the show restaurant allows visitors to relax, and sit down to a meal amidst the excitement. Guests to the restaurant can enjoy a glass of Lindemans Early Harvest low alcoholic range matched to a delicious dish with the menu designed by renowned chefs including Gordon Ramsay. -Gourmet Garden Cooking School: Former head chef of Mondo Organics and 'Pure Food Cooking' consultant Dominique Rizzo hosts hands-on 90 min classes where visitors have the opportunity to slice and dice with the experts and learn to cook creative meals for either the every day family gatherings or entertaining at your next dinner party. Sessions cost $50 and include a Gourmet Garden herbs & spices goodie bag. -LG Celebrity Theatre presented by Lifestyle Food Channel: Gordon Ramsay is back to headline the LG Celebrity Theatre in Sydney. Matt Moran and Tobie Puttock will join him in cooking up a lot of great food and just a little bit of mischief.The chefs will be giving cooking demonstrations using LG products which will give consumers the opportunity to view LG's new range of innovative cooking appliances.

Christmas in Winter
Venue	Berrima, Kangaroo Valley, NSW, Australia
Date	Jun 1, 2009-Aug 31, 2009
Celebrate Christmas in Winter throughout the Southern Highlands. Celebrations includes special christmas lunches and dinners, accommodation packages and other Christmas Specials. Co...

World Premiere of J.J. Abrams' action adventure Star Trek
Venue	Sydney Opera House
Date	April 7
Fee	100 each plus booking fee and each ticket purchase will entitle the purchaser to a bonus souvenir Star Trek theatrical poster.
Book	Tickets will go on sale from 9.00 a.m. Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) on Monday, March 30 and will only be available online via www.sydneyoperahouse.com or by phoning Sydney Opera House box office on +61 2 9250 7777.
Those who succeed in buying tickets will be the first members of the public in the world to see this hotly anticipated film. They will have the opportunity to walk the red carpet that will also welcome director/producer J.J. Abrams and cast members Eric Bana, Chris Pine (SMOKIN' ACES), Zachary Quinto (HEROES) and Karl Urban (THE BOURNE SUPREMACY) on their first stop of a world tour to promote the film. Those who purchase tickets will then join invited guests in the Concert Hall of Sydney Opera House for the first film premiere to be held in this particular performance space of Australia's most iconic building. "Although we have a tremendous demand for tickets to this event, we are delighted to be able to make some tickets available to the general public so that they can share in the excitement of this unique World Premiere screening of Star Trek here in Sydney," said Mike Selwyn, Managing Director of Paramount Pictures Australia.

Discover Darwin school holiday program
Venue	The National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, 2 Murray St, Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW 2000
Date	12-26 April 2009
Time	9.30 am to 5 pm and hourly sessions run from 10 am and 4 pm
Fee	Tickets to the museum's holiday program are $7 per child, adults free.
Book	All inquiries, (02) 9298 3777 or visit www.anmm.gov.au.
Kids will experience what it's like to be a junior naturalist these holidays at the Australian National Maritime Museum's Discover Darwin autumn school holiday activities. The fun-filled program is based on the museum's major exhibition Charles Darwin - Voyages and ideas that shook the world and will see kids pick up a magnifying glass and use microscopes to collect, sort and classify different plant and animal specimens. Kids can also track Darwin's voyage around the world. They'll learn about the countries his visited including the Galapagos Islands and South America, and discover which animals from these countries led him to develop his ground-breaking theory of evolution. There'll be dress ups too… what should a young naturalist wear when out exploring? And don't miss our intrepid roaming explorer and his pet Beagle as he takes families on interactive, guided tours of the Charles Darwin exhibition… learn more about the animal and plant oddities Darwin encountered, explore a full-scale replica of Darwin's cabin on board the Beagle and imagine what it would have been like at sea for 5 years! The tour will also take you to Darwin's Glasshouse with some amazing living plant specimens from orchids to insect-eating plants and climbers…. all examples of the flora Darwin wrote about in his famous book On the Origin of Species. The character-led tours will take place weekdays only at 11 am, 12 pm and 1 pm, free. Recommended for children aged 5-12 years.

Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival
Venue	Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street Carlton
Date	August 30 - September 1
Fee	All films are FREE
Book	Phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/bunjilaka
Sunday 30 August 11am - 12.30pm Warwick Thornton Retrospective 1pm - 3pm Samson & Delilah 3.30pm - 4.30pm Making Samson & Delilah Monday 31 August The New Black 6.30pm - 7.15pm Session 1: 6.30pm - 7.15pm Nia's Melancholy (10 mins) Bourke Boy (10 mins) The Farm (11 mins) Aunty Maggie & The Womba Wakgun (11 mins) Session 2: 7.30pm - 8.15pm The Party Shoes (11 mins) Jacob (11 mins) Ralph (10 mins) Tuesday 1 September 6pm - 7.30pm Fire Talker

Watchmen
Venue	IMAX Melbourne Museum, Rathdowne Street, Carlton.
Date	April - May 2009
Time	Films screen daily from 10.00am.
Fee	Adults $21.00, Concession $17.50, Child $16.00, Family $60.00 (2 adults & 2 children)
Book	For session times visit www.imaxmelbourne.com.au or call 03 9663 5454
The eagerly-awaited movie adaptation of the most celebrated graphic novel of our Time, Watchmen, opens on Melbourne's Biggest screen - IMAX Melbourne Museum on March 5. From the director of the wildly successful 300, Watchmen has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® through proprietary IMAX DMR® technology. With crystal clear images, laser-aligned digital sound and maximized field of view, IMAX provides the world's most immersive movie experience. A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, Watchmen is set in an alternative 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society. An investigation into the murder of a government sponsored super-hero pulls them out of retirement and eventually leads them to confront a plot by one of their own to stave off nuclear war by killing millions of innocent people.

Eddie Ifft
Venue	Comedy Store: The Entertainment Quarter- Moore Park
Date	1-12th of September
Fee	Tues ($10), Wed ($15) Thurs ($20 + pizza) Fri and Sat ($30)
Book	02 9357 1419

Monsters Vs. Aliens 3D comes to IMAX Melbourne Museum
Venue	IMAX Melbourne Museum, Carlton Gardens
Date	April 2
Fee	Adults $21.00, Concession $17.50, Child $16.00, Family $60.00 (2 Adults & 2 Children)
Book	www.imaxmelbourne.com.au or 03 9663 5454
"Monsters vs. Aliens 3D is full of visual effects, to the point where it is an immersive cinematic experience in and of itself," said director Conrad Vernon (Shrek 2). "IMAX's technology adds an unbelievably exciting element to the film and in 3D it's truly unlike anything that's been seen before in the realm of CG animation," added director Rob Letterman (Shark Tale). Monsters vs. Aliens 3D has been digitally re-mastered using proprietary IMAX DMR® technology to achieve the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience®. With crystal clear images, laser-aligned digital sound and maximized field of view, IMAX provides the world's most immersive movie experience. At IMAX Melbourne Museum, which has the world's third largest screen and the largest 3D projection in Australia, the experience will be nothing short of sensational. Monsters vs. Aliens 3D: An IMAX Experience will debut concurrently with the worldwide release in conventional theatres from Paramount Pictures. When California girl Susan Murphy is unwittingly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall. The military jumps into action and Susan is captured and secreted away to a covert government compound. There, she is renamed Ginormica and placed in confinement with a ragtag group of Monsters: the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.; the macho half-ape, half-fish The Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement is cut short, however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. In a moment of desperation, the President is persuaded to enlist the motley crew of Monsters to combat the Alien Robot and save the world from imminent destruction.

Copernicus
Venue	SkyDome Theatre, Melbourne Planetarium, Scienceworks: 2 Booker Street Spotswood
Date	15 September - 4 October (Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays)
Time	Wednesdays and Saturdays 8:00pm, Sundays 6:00pm
Fee	$26 Full, $23 Concession, $18 Preview
Book	From 1 September via Melbourne Fringe Festival Box Office 9660 9666 or online at Melbournefringe.com.au
What led an unassuming churchman to overthrow thousands of years of science and astronomy in one single act? Set amongst the spectacular 180degrees star-filled skies of the Melbourne Planetarium's SkyDome, Copernicus is a solo physical theatre piece by Melbourne artist Sam Davison, taking audiences on a dreamlike voyage inside the mind of the brilliant, yet shy, Polish renaissance astronomer. Copernicus is a truly immersive sensory experience, complimented by the raised stage of the Planetarium, reclining 45 degree angled seats, multimedia, special effects and richly layered surround sound. With 2009 being the International Year of Astronomy, it's time to shine a light on the life of Copernicus and get inside his head!

What's On at Scienceworks
Venue	Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood. (Melway 56, B1).
Date	April to June 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 4.30pm
Fee	Admission: Adults $8, Children and Concession FREE.
Book	For further details ph 03 9392 4800 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks
STAR WARS: Where Science Meets Imagination Could cars that hover above the ground become the mass transit of the future? Will we ever have druids like C-3PO in real life? Fantasy and reality join forces in Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. This is the first exhibition to showcase more than 80 costumes, models and props from all six Star Wars films. Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, presented by Bose Corporation, was developed by the Museum of Science, Boston and Lucasfilm Ltd. The exhibition is based upon work supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, USA. © 2009 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Presented by Bose Corporation. Date: 4 June to 3 November 2009 Cost: $18 Adults, $8 Concession, $6 Children (includes entry to Scienceworks) Starlight and Spaceflight - autumn school holiday program This autumn go on a journey through space. Find out the difference between a meteoroid, meteorite and meteor and touch the 680kg Cranbourne meteorite. Learn about the fastest thing in the universe, light, and make your very own swinging star mobile to take home and learn about some of the brightest stars in our sky. Find out about rockets and how you would get to the moon in the 20 minute Lunar Lift-off performance. Planetarium shows will also be showing daily. Date: 4 April to 19 April 2009 Winning sky photos: the David Malin Awards Some of the most spectacular photographic images of the Australian night sky are on display as part of this touring exhibition. The display features the winners and selected entries from the annual photography competition named after the world-renowned astrophotographer and competition judge Dr David Malin. Entries are judged not only for their technical skill but also their ability to capture the beauty of the sky and the intrinsic interest of astronomy. The images on display range from spectacular shots of the moon and a lunar eclipse, to constellations and nebula, star trails and the Milky Way. Developed by the Central West Astronomical Society and toured by the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Date: Until 2 April 2009 100 Hours of Astronomy Take part in the International Year of Astronomy here at Scienceworks. All around the world, across six continents, people will be participating in 100 hours of Astronomy by looking through telescopes. You can join in by using a special solar telescope to look at the surface of the Sun, and have your astronomy questions answered in a Q&A session with Dr Tanya Hill, Museum Victoria's own astronomer. Date: 12pm and 2pm, Sunday 5 April 2009 Earth Quest - From Outer Space to Inner Earth Take off on an intergalactic journey from the outer limits of the solar system all the way to the very centre of the Earth. Learn about our fascinating planet through more than 30 interactive exhibits ranging from astronomy, geology, geography, environmental science to biology. This exciting exhibition includes the Cranbourne Meteorite Number 13, free Earth Quest Experiment Zone workshops and a special mineral specimen display. Date: Until 19 April 2009 Mathamazing Explore the mathematics behind everyday life! Mathamazing includes hands-on activities based on topics such as; shapes, probability, sequences and series, puzzles, problem solving, topology and building. Developed by Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre, Canberra. Date: From 2 May

What's On at the Immigration Museum
Venue	Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Date	July to August 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm.
Fee	$8, child/concession FREE
Book	More info 13 11 02 or museumvictoria.com.au/immigration museum
Handing on the Key: Palestinians in Australia For the majority of Palestinians in Australia, there is no lived experience of Palestine. Handing on the Key explores how the link to homeland is passed from one generation to the next through acts of memory. The changing identity of the Palestinian community through generations reveals the different and often emotional connections that Australians of Palestinian heritage have to Palestine. Date: 21 August to 22 November 2009 Spring school holiday program Go around the world to the Middle East and participate in a craft workshop where you can discover ancient and beautiful craft traditions of different countries in the Middle East. Be captivated by amazing stories of journeys to Australia from around the world (11am and 1pm). Don't forget to pick up an Immigration Adventures booklet and explore the Museum in a fun and engaging way. Date: 19 September to 4 October 2009 Talanoa: Stories of the Fiji community The name Fiji evokes a tropical paradise in the minds of many Australians, but this island nation has a troubled history. Talanoa (a Fijian word for 'story-telling') explores how and why Fiji-born people came to Victoria, and what values, beliefs and practices they have brought with them. The diverse and growing Fiji community presents a thought-provoking account of the relationships that sustain their connection with Fiji and have shaped their settlement in a new land. Dates: Until 16 August 2009 Cultural Diversity Quest Awards Exhibition The Quest Awards encourage Victorian students to celebrate their State's cultural diversity through creative expression. Announced during Cultural Diversity Week, the winning entries will be shown at the Immigration Museum in an exhibition opening for Refugee Week. Students' works reflect their investigation of cultural diversity within their school and community, and encompass a wide range of materials, techniques and ideas. Dates: Until 21 August 2009 Ancient Hampi: The Hindu Kingdom Brought to Life This international exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the stunning World Heritage site of Hampi in southern India. Using state of the art digital technologies, this new experience presents stereographic panoramas of an extraordinary site, with all its mythological, archaeological, artistic and historic significance. Ancient Hampi includes animations of Hindu myths and stories, aerial and projected photography, an immersive digital interactive space showing 360-degree panoramic images of the site and is landscape, as well as stunning night photographs of the temples taken by John Gollings. Dates: Until 26 January 2010

Oceanworld Manly
Venue	West Esplanade, Manly, NSW 2095
Date	March 2009
Fee	Mothers Day Special: With every full-paying mum, bring one child free of charge! Adult: $18.50, Child (3-15 yrs): $ 9.95, Concession: $13.50, Family (2A + 2C): $45.95, Family (1A + 2C): $31.95
Book	www.oceanworld.com.au
Mother's Day Deep-Sea Delight! Looking for an adventure-filled family outing this Mother's Day? Well grab the bubs and celebrate mum's special day - Sunday 10 May - by exploring Oceanworld Manly and its deep-sea delight! Read below for the day's activities and special offer. Kids' Face Painting: 10am - 11am Located near Oceanworld's touch pool, kids can be disguised as a shark, waves, Nemo the fish; or choose to be decorated with a Mother's Day hearts! Mums in the Sea: 11am and 2pm As a part of Oceanworld's daily tunnel tour, the friendly oceanarium tour guides and curatorial staff will talk about the mums of the sea and how they differently, or similarly, they raise their own children. Very educational and very interesting!

World Record Attempt-Old El Paso Largest Salsa Dance
Venue	Federation Square, corner Swanston and Flinders Streets, Melbourne
Date	Wednesday 16 September, 2009 - Mexican Independence Day
Time	Registration before 7:45am and 8am - World record attempt
Book	Participants can register their interest via email to: oldelpasolargestsalsa@sparkcomms.com.au
All the colour and music of a Mexican fiesta will be alive in Federation Square as Old El Paso helps Melbourne celebrate Mexican Independence Day. Wednesday 16 September is Mexican Independence Day, and to celebrate Old El Paso are calling dancers of all ages - beginner to advanced - to participate in a world record attempt for the world's largest salsa dance. Giveaways and prizes will be available to participants. Join in the fiesta of fun at Fed Square this Mexican Independence Day! The Old El Paso Largest Salsa Dance world record attempt is a great free activity and chance to get active, learn to salsa and have fun the Mexican way.

Get Fresh with Fish
Venue	Sydney Royal Easter Show, Woolworths Food Dome, Women's Weekly Test Kitchen, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush
Date	9th to the 22nd April
Time	25 minute demonstrations will be held every day at 3pm
Fee	Entry to Get Fresh With Fish is free of charge once inside the Sydney Royal Easter Show
Get Fresh with Fish was developed by Sydney Fish Market and has been running successfully for more than eight years, both in Sydney and regional areas. This year Get Fresh with Fish has received funding under the Aussie Seafood - Brought to You by Our Fishermen awareness campaign, with the principle aim of raising the profile and appreciation of Australia's commercial fishermen. Brigid Treloar, leading food journalist and stylist, cookbook author and Sydney Seafood School demonstrator, will prepare some simple and delicious recipes using lesser known seafood species that are affordable for the whole family. The Women's Weekly Test Kitchen will host Get Fresh with Fish, an interactive and educational initiative aimed at encouraging Australians to explore the fabulous taste and superb quality of their own locally caught seafood. Some species Brigid will be cooking with include: Silver Warehou - a low priced fish available all year round. It has a medium flavour, low-medium oiliness and slightly dry textured flesh with good sized flakes and few bones, which are easily removed. It suits all cooking methods and goes well with chilli, citrus or curry pastes. Sea Mullet -a low priced fish available all year round. It has a strong flavour, oily and moist, soft-medium textured flesh with few bones. It is best to remove the skin, as well as the fatty tissue immediately under the skin, to give a milder flavour. Sea Mullet is ideal for baking, grilling or BBQ. It is best cooked with other strong flavours such as onion, tamarind, tomato, vinegar and wine. Gould's Squid - available wild-caught, these marine cephalopods have smooth, light brownish-pink skin with a purpley-blue stripe running down the tube. They are low priced and available all year round. With a mild, subtle flavour, low-medium oiliness, and dry with firm texture it goes well with chilli, fresh herbs, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, lemon, lime and tomato. Ocean Jacket - generally sold as boneless fillets it has a mild flavour, low oiliness and is moderately moist, with firm flesh. Great for parching, steaming, pan-fry or BBQ the firm flesh holds together well in soups, curries and casseroles while the flesh works well minced for fish cakes and fish balls.

Melbourne Writers Festival
Date	21 August - 30 August 2009
Book	mwf.com.au
HarperCollinsPublishers would like to welcome its authors attending 2009 Melbourne Writers' Festival. The line-up includes a talented array of both international and local writers: Nikki Gemmell, Philip Hensher, Robert Wilson, Steven Carroll, Steven Conte, Jack Dann, Janet de Neefe, Andrea Goldsmith, Maureen Helen and Linda Jaivin.

100 Hours of Astronomy: An event 400 years in the making
Venue	Anglo-Australian Observatory (Coonabarabran, NSW), the Australian Interferometric Gravitational Observatory (Gingin, WA), the Parkes Observatory (NSW) and the Mount Pleasant Observatory 26-metre Radio telescope (Hobart, Tasmania).
Date	During 2-5 April
Book	www.astronomy2009.org.au
One of the major cornerstone events of the UN-designated International Year of Astronomy, 100 Hours of Astronomy, will take place over 2-5 April. This global event will see millions of people all over the world coming out onto the streets at night to participate in "star parties" or public viewings of the sky through telescopes - just as Galileo did for the first time 400 years ago. Amateur astronomy groups, observatories, arts and scientific institutions around Australia are organising public events for the 100 Hours. During 2-5 April the Moon will be just over half full and a splendid sight in the early evenings. The planet Saturn will also be well placed for viewing. To find out what's happening in your area, go to the Australian International Year of Astronomy website www.astronomy2009.org.au and follow the Events Calendar link. The international site 100 Hours of Astronomy www.100hoursofastronomy.org also lists some Australian events. As well as public star-watching events, there will be a live webcast from the largest telescopes around the world - featuring almost 70 professional observatories from Arizona to Shanghai, the Hubble Space Telescope to the Vatican - during a 24-hour period. Astronomers all over the globe will take viewers inside their telescope domes and control rooms at some of the most advanced observatories on and off the planet. Australian observatories participating in the webcast are the Anglo-Australian Observatory (Coonabarabran, NSW), the Australian Interferometric Gravitational Observatory (Gingin, WA), the Parkes Observatory (NSW) and the Mount Pleasant Observatory 26-metre Radio telescope (Hobart, Tasmania).

Salsa Classes
Date	Every Tuesday
Time	6pm - Beginners 7 pm - Intermediate 8pm - Social dancing with DJ chocolate Escobar
Fee	$20 for one or two for $35 (one free drink per class included)
Book	Ingrid on 0403129377
Run by LDA (Latin dance Australia)

Ultimo Science Festival
Date	August 21 to 30
Harris Street will be bubbling up and frothing over from August 21 to 30 for the fourth annual Ultimo Science Festival held as part of National Science Week. There'll be day and night events, school sessions, family and kids events, pub events, talks and forums for everyone. It's not just for geeks, scientists and students (though they'll be there), it's for everybody! National Science Week is Australia's largest festival with around 600 events held around the country, around 700,000 participants. Visit Ultimosciencefestival.com or Scienceweek.info.au

Under the Sea 3D
Venue	IMAX theatres nationwide
Date	opens: Thursday 19 March 2009
Emmy Award winning documentary filmmaker Howard Hall will make a special visit to Sydney next Monday (16 March) to unveil his latest IMAX 3D masterpiece; Under the Sea 3D, to be released at the IMAX Theatre Darling Harbour on 19 March. With numerous Emmy awards and more than 100 underwater film projects under his belt, Hall and his wife Michele, who produced the film, have become extremely passionate about protecting the ocean wildlife for future generations which is evident in what they describe as their most ambitious IMAX 3D project to date. "There are many issues concerning the marine environment, certainly too many to cover within the context of one film," says Hall. "On our previous film, Deep Sea 3D, we touched upon the importance of biodiversity, but this time, we are addressing the potential effect of climate change on ocean life." Assisted by an Australian crew, Under the Sea 3D was filmed entirely with IMAX 3D cameras for a vivid, immersive viewing experience unlike any other which takes viewers on an incredible journey to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations in South Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Viewers will come face to face with some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea as images of great white sharks, flamboyant cuttlefish, leafy sea dragons, giant stingrays, jellyfish, green sea turtles, playful Australian sea lions, six foot garden eels in their natural habitats leap off the screen and float in front of your eyes. "People need a reason to care about coral reefs and our hope is that once they see these animals and realise that they're not only remarkably beautiful but that they have their own interesting behaviours and personalities, they will fall in love with them and want to ensure their survival" said Hall. Hall and his crew spent a year in pre-production, more than 350 hours underwater, and 110 days at sea to capture more than 10 hours of raw footage which has been whittled down to the 45 minute masterpiece you see today.

ACMI's Spooky Spring School Holiday Program
Venue	ACMI, Federation Square, Studio 1
Date	Mon 21 Sep - Fri 2 Oct
Spooky Animated Kids' Flicks Classics All tickets $5 Mon 21 Sep 1pm, Tue 22 Sep 1pm, Wed 23 Sep 1pm, Thu 24 Sep 1pm, Fri 25 Sep 1pm Twilight M Mon 28 Sep 1pm, Tue 29 Sep 1pm, Wed 30 Sep 1pm, Thu 1 Oct 1pm, Fri 2 Oct 1pm Pasty skin, extreme mood swings… sure it sounds like your typical teenager but instead it's about vampires who are the perfect stand-in for all things angsty and adolescent. Kids in the Studio Free Recommended for children aged 4 to 12. Drop in between 12pm-4pm weekdays Kids in the Studio: Make a spooky movie! Join us these school holidays for a rare opportunity to be part of your own scary adventure. In this free workshop, kids will be guided through creating and performing in their own spooky movie using green screen technology.

Sesame Street characters come to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
Venue	Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, Carlton
Date	Wednesday 1st April - Sunday 5th April 2009
Time	Wed, Thurs and Sun - 9am-5pm and Fri and Sat - 9am-6pm.
Fee	Adult: $20 Concession: $15 Family: $45 Child (6 to 16 years): $8 Child (5 years & under): Free Group: $15* # Student Card, Seniors Card and Pension Card holders. * Groups of 10 or more people, per person price.
This year, the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS) will be a haven for kids. Sesame Street characters will provide daily entertainment in the children's Garden alongside a jam-packed schedule of activities for kids of all ages. Created by Georgeous Events for its second year, the Sesame Street Children's Garden will also include the popular art corner, a bubble machine, face painting, an animal farm enclosure and entertainment. Families will have the opportunity to meet Elmo, Abby Cadabby and friends every day for a few hours, or they can view them as floral creations in the Royal Exhibition Building throughout the show. "This is the first year that Sesame Street characters have visited the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. We can't wait to see the children's faces light up when they get to meet their heroes," Kathleen Rushford from IMG said. "We're pretty sure that some of the mums and dads will be just as excited to meet their favourite Sesame Street characters as well," she said. The Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) will be holding plant potting classes, and will supply trowels, pots and seedlings for children to present to Mum and Dad. The NGIV will also be launching the Schools' Garden Award on Thursday 2nd April. The competition, which awards improvements made to the school environment through the active involvement of pupils, teachers and the school community, will be launched on the main stage and judged at the end of the year. MIFGS is presented by Mighty Helpful Mitre 10 in 2009 and will be held at the heritagelisted Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens from 1st - 5th April.

Eumundi Markets' 30th Birthday
Venue	Situated in the lush coastal hinterland and just 20kms west of the famous coastal resort town of Noosa.
Date	Saturday 21 March
Time	at 10.45am (Cake Cutting)
On Saturday 21 March, Eumundi Markets will be celebrating its 30th birthday with a 70's theme in keeping with the year the markets began - 1979. General Manager of Eumundi Markets Peter Homan says it's been an amazing journey for the community market. "It's hard to believe it's 30 years, but what is now the biggest and best craft market in Australia began under the fig trees in March 1979 - with only three stalls!", Peter said. "Saturday 21st March is our chance to acknowledge the pioneers who started the market all those years ago. "At 11am at the Main Stage, we'll be honouring our earliest stallholders, along with special guests Val Templeton, the Chair of the Eumundi Historical Society when the markets began, and Christa Barton, former long-serving stallholder who came up with the idea for the market in the first place. Christa is joining us from Tasmania," he said. And no party would be a party without a serious birthday cake. The market pioneers will together cut a huge chocolate mud cake, generously donated by Rob's Bakery in Eumundi. There'll also be giveaways of 70's inspired 30th birthday badges and lolly bags for young market visitors (it's a party after all …). Members of the public are also encouraged to come dressed in 70's outfits on the day,with prizes (including Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa accommodation packages and market dollars) to be awarded to the best dressed. "Judges will be scoping the market crowd throughout the morning looking for the best and boldest ensembles. See you if have something in your dress-up box, or raid your nearest op shop!", Peter said. There'll also be 70's inspired bands, and a special display on the history of the now worldfamous markets, with stories and images dating back to the early days.

Sydney 2009 World Masters Games
Date	The deadline for registrations is this Friday 31st July. Games: October 7-18
Book	2009worldmasters.com
With total entries for the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games swiftly heading towards 25,000, new Games Community Partner DoubleDrummer.com, is helping players find teams and vice versa for the world’s largest multi-sport event this October. Double Drummer is an online community of active people helping prospective Games participants to find playing partners and team members of the right age, gender and playing standard across all 28 sports that make up the Games. Unlike other social networking sites that keep people in front of their computer screens, Double Drummer is all about using the Internet to connect, then meet face to face and have fun 'out of site'. Double Drummer's partnership with the Games is a natural one since both organisations are concerned with motivating and enabling Australian adults to be 'fit, fun and forever young'.

Antipodes Greek Festival
Venue	Lonsdale Street Greek Precinct's Melbourne (In between Exhibition & Swanston Streets)
Date	Saturday March 21 & Sunday March 22
Fee	Free
Book	antipodesfestival.com.au
The largest Greek cultural and arts event in Australia, the Antipodes Greek Festival will kick off in under two weeks, with more program events than ever. Get top cooking advice from Chef George Calombaris from The Press Club and the new Hellenic Republic and soon to be judge on new Channel Ten show Master Chef Australia will be one of the Guest MC's at the Festival on the Saturday. International songstress Glykeria is headlining the entertainment on the Saturday evening and has also just announced a second performance that will take place on the Sunday night with all donations going to the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal. Plus: Dj's, children's arts and crafts area, traditional Greek music and dance, a zorba dance competition and baklava and souvlaki eating competitions!!

The IMAGINE Festival
Venue	199 Cleveland Street, near Central Station, opposite Prince Alfred Park.
Date	9th-11th of October 2009
Companies or individual artists need to send in a very brief and simple application by Friday August 21st download from Actt.edu.au/downloads The Festival is looking for one-off pieces (up to 10 minutes) including: -Cabaret - Comedy -Short-Plays -Music - Dance and physical theatre -New Media Art -Performance poetry -Children's Theatre We'll also consider longer pieces such as: -Play-readings -Film-script readings - Work-in-progress showings -Forums and discussions -Visual and Photographic exhibitions ...or something we would never have imagined! The selected 'dream-team' will be announced at an Industry Drinks Night on Tuesday 25th August at Cleveland Street Theatre from 6pm. Free events run as part of The IMAGINE Festival will be marketed in conjunction with the City of Sydney's Art & About program.

What's On at Melbourne Museum
Venue	Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton
Date	February to June 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 5.00pm
Fee	Admission: Adult $8, children and concession FREE
Book	For further details phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum
H.O.P.E. Project Exhibition The H.O.P.E. (Hope, Opportunity, Purpose and Education) Project Exhibition features paintings by Indigenous students from Mildura Primary School that reflect their beliefs about who is important to them, where they feel connected and safe and the difference that being part of the project has made in their lives. Each artwork has a unique personal story attached that represents strong cultural identify and hope for the future. Date: Until 26 June 2009 Top Designs 2009 Be inspired and motivated by the creativity and skills of the best design works from Victoria's final year VCE secondary school design students. Students' works range from film, furniture, fashion, graphic design, mechanics, photography, publishing and food. Top Designs also features the development of the final product. View folios, work briefs, production stages, product evaluations and design plans. Presented in partnership with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority as part of the VCE Season of Excellence. Date: 21 March to 12 July 2009 Dinosaur Walk Get ready to walk among, around and even above the Museum's collection of dinosaur skeletons in Dinosaur Walk. Come face-to-face with Amargasaurus and Protoceratop, as well as Quetzalcoatlus, the largest flying animal of all time. Dinosaur fans can touch displays of dinosaur teeth, bones and fossilised poo and discover how dinosaurs moved, what they ate and how they survived in their changing environments. Dinosaur Walk is the first permanent exhibition to be opened as part of Museum Victoria's Science and Life Gallery redevelopment. Date: 3 April 2009 Melbourne Museum Comedy Tour This Comedy Festival, Ben McKenzie, the Man in the Lab Coat, returns to host the Melbourne Museum Comedy Tour. Joining him will be Melbourne comedy legend Janet A. McLeod and The Collectors host and comedian Andy Muirhead for a spooky and exciting trip through Melbourne Museum after hours. Prepare to learn something new and have your funny bone tickled in this evening of science, history and laughter. Date: 16 to 18 April and 23 to 25 April 2009 Cost: $15 adult, $10 concession agIdeas 2009 NewStar The agIdeas NewStar Award is an opportunity for emerging Australian designers to enhance their design career by winning International travelling scholarships. The finalists, ranging from multimedia, 2D or 3D works, are exhibited at Melbourne Museum with winners announced at the agIdeas 2009 International Design Forum. Date: 24 April to 24 May 2009 A Day in Pompeii: Melbourne Winter Masterpieces The drama and tragedy of ancient Pompeii will be showcased in the Melbourne Winter Masterpiece exhibition A Day in Pompeii, on display at Melbourne Museum from 26 June to 25 October 2009. Exclusive to Melbourne, A Day in Pompeii is developed by Museum Victoria in partnership with the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei (SAP), and will feature over 250 objects from daily life in Pompeii and surrounds, as well as a number of body casts. Melbourne Winter Masterpieces is a Victorian Government initiative and is exclusive to Melbourne, Australia. A Day in Pompeii is presented in association with the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei (SAP). Date: 26 June to 11 October 2009 Cost: $20 adult, $14 concession, $12 child, $54 family (includes Museum entry)

What's On at Melbourne Museum
Venue	Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton
Date	August to October 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 5.00pm
Fee	Admission: Adult $8, children and concession FREE
Book	For further details phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum
Message Sticks Film Festival Message Sticks Film Festival returns to Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum with its biggest and best program to date. Date: 30 August to 1 September All films are FREE. Check the website for program details. Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award Exhibition This is an annual award-based exhibition showcasing the 10 best Australian contemporary functional designs in lighting, furniture, accessories and homewares. Date: 14 August to 25 October 2009 Design Now Do you ever wonder what the next big thing in design will be? What are the best emerging ideas and trends? Design Now is an Object Gallery touring exhibition. Date: 14 August to 25 October 2009 National Science Week Museum Victoria will be celebrating National Science Week with special lectures and events. Date: 15 - 23 August. Check the website for program details. A Day in Pompeii: Melbourne Winter Masterpieces Exhibition The drama and tragedy of ancient Pompeii will be showcased in the Melbourne Winter Masterpiece exhibition A Day in Pompeii, on display at Melbourne Museum from 26 June to 25 October 2009. Date: Until 11 October 2009 Cost: $20 adult, $14 concession, $12 child, $54 family (includes Museum entry) Ngarjun and Nakun: Our eyes, our footprints This exhibition explores the powerful collective story of the Mullet family, a Victorian Aboriginal family. Date: Until 10 October 2009

Step Back in Time at Prahran Market
Date	Saturday 14 March
Time	9am-5pm
Fee	Free Event
On Saturday 14 March, Prahran Market is Stepping Back in Time, as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival...

Scienceworks National Science Week events
Venue	Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood. (Melway 56, B1).
Date	August
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 4.30pm
Fee	Admission: Adults $8, Children and Concession FREE
Book	For further details ph 03 9392 4800 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks
BASF Kids' Lab Experience the fascinating world of chemistry! Run by BASF chemists, the chemistry workshops introduce chemistry to children in a fun and exciting way through simple and interactive hands-on experiments. Date: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August Time: 11.00am, 1.00 & 3.00pm Bookings essential: Call 9392 4819 Australian Skeptics The Australian Skeptics will be explaining the science behind the paranormal at Scienceworks. See magic illusions, try out a bed of nails and many more surprising demonstrations. Date: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August Time: 11.00am to 4.00pm Inspiring Scientists Biology? Paleontology? Find out about your favourite 'ology' by chatting to inspiring career scientists. Meet scientists from a range of research and career backgrounds and talk to an expert to find out what exciting and varied opportunities a career in science has to offer. Date: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August Time: 11.00 to 4.00pm SCINEMA In National Science Week 2009 we invite you to discover the talent across Australia with SCINEMA - exploring science through film. Sit back and relax with SCINEMA in the Discovery Centre and find out about all things science and the great Science Week events in the coming week. Date: Saturday 15 August and Sunday 23 August (Scienceworks only) Time: Daily Mathamazing Explore the mathematics behind everyday life. Mathamazing includes hands-on activities based on topics such as shapes, probability, sequences and series, puzzles, problem solving, topology and building. Developed by Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre, Canberra. Date: Until 6 December Cost: Included with Scienceworks admission

HOOPLA
Venue	Darling Harbour
Date	10-13 April Easter long weekend
Time	12pm-5pm Carnival Nights from 6:30pm Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April ($10)
Fee	FREE family entertainment
This year's Darling Harbour HOOPLA promises to be more spectacular, chaotic and hilarious than ever before! For the first time ever, Sydney's sensational circus and street theatre festival will feature the Hoopla Big Top - an authentic big top circus tent - and new, edgy evening performances at Carnival Nights. With something for everyone to enjoy, Hoopla will dazzle all Easter long weekend from 12pm-5pm each day - and best of all it's FREE! The whole family can delight in amazing aerial acrobatics, side-splitting comedy capers, virtuosic circus stunts, jaw-dropping performances by renowned local and international artists and circus workshops for the kids. Come and experience the wild carnival atmosphere of Hoopla with exciting new elements including The Hoopla Big Top - a spectacular big top circus tent featuring the highly skilled antics of Rumpel the Jester of Oz, The Rosetski Brothers, The Doogans and The Great Gondos. After dark the Hoopla Big Top will host Carnival Nights - edgy, quirky live shows by Australia's best street performers. Carnival Nights runs on Saturday and Sunday night from 6:30pm for $10 a pop. Make your way to The Tiny Top for an amusing and entertaining variety of oddities and fast-moving sideshow acts from around the globe in a vibrant, popcorn-scented atmosphere. Palm Grove will be transformed into a circus ring with high voltage performances by Team Loko, Kit 'n Kiboodle, Dislocate and Zebastian Hunter. Team Loko's Monkey Punch is a fresh dose of awesome acrobatic vengeance combining all the most exciting elements of circus and free style acrobatics with urban choreography and street stylings. It's paw to the floor action at Kit 'n Kiboodle as you watch two old rivals, Kit the glamour puss and Kaboodle the cheese loving mouse, swing, scratch, roll and tumble in comic strip style circus hi-jinx. The first Australian to be accepted by The National Circus School of Montreal, Zeb Hunter's Cloudswing act is energetic and dangerous featuring acrobatic twists and somersaults. Circusworks' Hoopla Kidzone at Harbourside Amphitheatre will be a hit with the little ones where they can get a taste of circus life, learning to juggle, spin plates, stilt walk and hula hoop by circus experts, while mum and dad sit back and relax. Don't miss roving performances by Dislocate - on the street or in the air, Dislocate have spell-bound audiences worldwide with their style of acrobatic aerial theatre. Roll up Roll up for the best fun this Easter at Hoopla! Darling Harbour is Sydney's leading entertainment and leisure destination offering an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, cafes and activities. It's easy to get to Darling Harbour by train, bus or park in one of 6 car parks in the precinct. Hoopla is proudly presented by Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.

What's On at Scienceworks
Venue	Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood. (Melway 56, B1).
Date	June to August 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 4.30pm
Fee	Admission: Adults $8, Children and Concession FREE
Book	For further details ph 03 9392 4800 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination Could cars that hover above the ground become the mass transit of the future? Will we ever have druids like C-3PO in real life? Date: Until 3 November 2009 Cost: $18 Adults, $8 Concession, $6 Children (includes entry to Scienceworks) Machines in Action Day This is a unique opportunity to see heritage steam engines and agricultural machinery at work. Date: Sunday 2 August, 10.30am to 3.30pm Cost: Included with Scienceworks admission Discover the Night Sky Evening Planetarium Program The Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks presents special after-dark sessions, Thursday evenings in August. Each evening will showcase a different aspect of the night sky: Thursday 6 August: Leaving Earth Thursday 13 August: Our Solar System Thursday 20 August: Milky Way Galaxy Thursday 27 August: Backyard Astronomy Session times: Commence 7pm. Cost: $25 per person, MV members $20, Season pass $85. Bookings essential: Call 03 9392 4819

Easter School Holiday Entertainment
Venue	Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd, Pokolbin
Date	Friday 10th to Sunday 26th April 2009.
Fee	$19.90 per adult, $12 for children between 6 - 12 years of age, with under 5's for free
Book	www.hvg.com.au or call 02 4998 4000.
Activities to be held during Easter will include: Easter Bonnet Craft Children will be able to make their own Easter Bonnet with the help of the court jester. Craft materials will be supplied and children can model their Easter bonnet around the Garden. Giant Parachute and Games Children can come and play under the giant parachute which will be fully supervised by a fitness instructor. A 13 metre wide bright parachute will keep the children enthralled as they work as a team to keep balls and other items in the air. Egg and Spoon Races and Sack Races Join in the fun of these long established family fun activities which will take place in the Formal Garden daily. There'll be races between parents and kids with lots of photo opportunities and memories to be made. Easter Sing-Along Show A daily Sing-along show will be performed in the Amphitheatre at 2pm where kids will get to join the host for some favourite 'Candy and Easter' tunes such as: Little Peter Rabbit, Good Ship Lollypop and Eggbert the Easter Egg. Hatching Chickens Come and watch real baby chickens as they hatch from their eggs and take their first steps. Court Jester The entertaining and fun court jester will be overseeing craft activities and leading the children in fun Easter games. Colouring competition Kids will have the opportunity to colour in one of the gardens Easter pictures for a chance to win a Hunter Valley Gardens kids merchandise pack. On Easter Sunday, 12th April 2009, there will be additional activities taking place to celebrate Easter including: Giant Easter Egg Hunt Hunter Valley Gardens has been hosting its Giant Easter Egg Hunt for 5 years and it has proven to be a day of fun and adventure as children participate in the search for thousands of brightly coloured plastic eggs. Every child receives a gift of Easter chocolate at the completion of the hunt. Egg Hunts run every 45 minutes between 9.00am and 2.15pm. Easter Bunny The Easter Bunny will be on site all day and will show up at the hunt and organised activities, so keep an eye out for him! Easter Hat Parade A huge hit with over 150 children having participated in 2008, Hunter Valley Gardens will be hosting its Easter Hat Parade again on Easter Sunday. Children can bring along their decorated Easter bonnet for the morning parade with great prizes to be won. Giant Jumping Castle The Giant Jumping Castle will be a fun activity for kids up to 12 years old. From Tuesday 14th April to Sunday 26th April 2009, the "Fitness Fun" School Holiday activities will take place. The theme is aimed at encouraging children to lead happy and healthy lives, and will teach children a number of activities that are both fun and good for the body and mind. Activities will focus on different areas such as flexibility, balance, confidence and healthy eating, and will include: Gym and Fitness Class Each morning a trained coach will be on site between 10.00am and 2pm to lead children in a kid's gym program. Equipment will be supplied and classes will be run in groups at regular 30 minute intervals. The classes will teach basic fitness in a fun and interactive manner. All children will be fully supervised and an emphasis will be placed upon picking up good exercise habits now for later in life. The instructor will teach children basic exercises involving strength, speed, flexibility and balance whilst educating them on maintaining a healthy mind and body. Sporting Games Sporting equipment will be available on a grassed area of the Gardens for use by children and their families. A volleyball/badminton net will be set up at the Formal Garden, along with other pieces of equipment which will have one and all playing games throughout the day. Hula hoops, skipping ropes and parachute games will also have everyone entertained. This activity will run between 10am and 2pm. Vegetable Garden Tour Led by a horticulturalist, children and families will be able to go on a tour of the Hunter Valley Gardens vegetable garden. Children will have the opportunity to learn how to grow their own vegetables which is an important component of healthy eating. At the conclusion of each tour, children will be given a packet of seeds to take home and start their own vegetable garden. Interactive Exercise Show A fun and educational 30 minute show will be held daily at 2pm in the Amphitheatre. The performance will incorporate music and dance and will teach and promote the benefits of physical activity. Children will be encouraged to participate in the show. Free Prize Draw Each day a free prize draw will take place following the afternoon show. Children will have the chance to win fitness and sporting equipment such as small weights, skipping ropes, and soccer balls to enjoy at home.

What's on at IMAX Melbourne Museum
Venue	IMAX Melbourne Museum, Rathdowne Street, Carlton.
Date	August to October 2009
Time	Films screen daily from 10.00am.
Book	For session times visit Imaxmelbourne.com.au or call 03 9663 5454
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: The IMAX 3D Experience Witness the explosive 3D opening of the much-anticipated Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, exclusive to IMAX theatres. Date: Now Showing Tickets: $21.00 adults, $17.50 concession, $16.00 child, $60.00 family (2 adults & 2 children) Van Gogh: Brush with Genius Experience Van Gogh's works on his largest canvas ever in the new IMAX film Date: August 13 Tickets: $17.50 Adult, $14 Concession, $12.50 Child, $50.00 family (2 adults & 2 children) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen = The IMAX Experience One of this year's biggest movies just got even bigger! The IMAX version of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen features select sequences shot with IMAX cameras as well as a longer cut and more robot fighting. Date: Now Showing Tickets: $21.00 adults, $17.50 concession, $16.00 child, $60.00 family (2 adults & 2 children) Under the Sea 3D Dive into an underwater adventure like no other at IMAX Melbourne Museum with Under the Sea 3D. Date: Now Showing Tickets: $17.50 Adult, $14 Concession, $12.50 Child, $50.00 family (2 adults & 2 children)

Discover textiles old and new at historic Elizabeth Farm
Venue	Elizabeth Farm, 70 Alice St Rosehill
Date	13 - 22 March
Time	Friday to Sunday, 9.30am - 4pm
Fee	General $20, Concession $15, includes morning tea
HSC Texstyle exhibition on display 13 - 22 March and special textile workshop 14 & 15 March Head to historic Elizabeth Farm to see a stunning selection of works from the HSC Texstyle exhibition and discover the world of colonial textiles at a special workshop on 14 & 15 March. Wander through the servant's quarter and tea rooms of Australia's oldest homestead, to see 20 major works from year 12 Textiles & Design students from across NSW including apparel, textile arts, furnishings and costume. See intricate wall hangings, elegant gowns, colourful bags and creative costumes that were inspired by themes ranging from the French revolution, Jane Austen and pop art to monopoly, music act Daft Punk and films like Atonement and Gone with the Wind. At a special workshop in conjunction with the exhibition, discover the world of colonial textiles. Tour the 1793 house with guide Jacky Dalton and hear how the intricate bed draperies, corsets, chair covers and cushions reflect the design trends of the first half of the 1900s. In the tea rooms, learn the secrets of felting and have a go creating your own textile work then enjoy a delicious morning tea with scones, cream & jam. Elizabeth Farm is one of the last places to catch this exhibition in Sydney before it travels to rural NSW.

The Grampians - Classics in Wartook Valley Festival
Date	September 4 - 6, 2009
Fee	from $25 or weekend pass $100
Book	Classicsinwartook.com.au or call: 03 5382 9779
Celebrate the first weekend in spring with The Grampians - Classics in Wartook Valley Festival. Discover, experience and enjoy classical music, local produce and wine, vintage cars and working artists, all nestled amongst native bushland at the foot of the Grampians National Park. The 2009 event will feature performances including:- -Smorgasbord Meal, Silent Auction & Classic Film -Classical Ensemble ACCORD & Feature Guest Emma Ayres -The Festival's Inaugural Gala Dinner & with Guests Accord & Emma Ayres -The Jazz Traders The Classics in Wartook Valley Festival allows individuals, couples and families to revitalise enjoy and experience the Grampians. This year's program draws together one of the largest and most diverse programs in the festival's rich history.

We're Living in the 70s
Venue	Susannah Place Museum Gloucester St, The Rocks (adjacent to Australian Hotel)
Date	Sunday 29 March
Time	10am - 5pm
Fee	FREE STREET PARTY with half price museum entry, General $4, Concession $2
Book	Further information: www.hht.net.au or call 8239 2288
It was the era when Starsky and Hutch were strutting their stuff, Dennis Lillee was king of the cricket pitch and Malcolm Fraser was Prime Minister, but the 1970s in Sydney also saw an important series of protests and green bans that saved The Rocks area from demolition and redevelopment. Get your groove on and be part of this celebration of disco dancing, iconic hairdos, crazy moustaches and all things 1970s with live music, dancing, face painting and street theatre throughout the day. Glam rock band That 70s Thang! will take to the stage with their rockin' live tunes so brush up on your moves and be ready to boogie on down to take out first prize in the dance competition. Step inside Susannah Place Museum for some nostalgia with screenings of much loved 1970s TV shows like Skippy and Classic Countdown, then explore the four 1844 terrace houses and discover the fascinating ways that life in The Rocks has changed over time. Raid the wardrobe for those super wide flares and platform shoes that haven't seen the light of day in years and start planning a groovy outfit to be in the running for the best dressed prize. Check out the authentic Chryslers and other 'too cool for school' cars of the era and browse the stalls for 'totally rad' 70s memorabilia including vintage clothes, sunglasses, accessories, jewellery, shoes, retro bric-a-brac and vinyl records.

2XU to launch first Sydney Performance Centre
Venue	Sydney Performance Centre in Paddington
Date	Saturday August 15
Leading high performance athletic apparel brand, 2XU, is set to open its first Sydney Performance Centre in Paddington next month. The highly-anticipated store is a testament to 2XU's rapidly growing collection of technical and stylish athletic apparel, which is set to take the Sydney sporting community by storm. While sporting retailers across the state have stocked the brand for some time, the exclusive Paddington store marks the first 2XU Performance Centre in NSW to date.

Night Sky at Scienceworks
Venue	Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks, 2 Booker Street, Spotswood. Melway 56, B1
Date	5, 12, 19 and 26 March 2009
Time	7pm to 9.30pm
Fee	$25 Adults, $20 MV Members, Season Pass (all 4 sessions): $85
Book	Phone 03 9392 4819 (Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.00pm)
Visitors will have the opportunity to a chat with the Planetarium's Astronomer, enjoy wine and cheese, and be immersed in a Planetarium experience. If weather permits, each session will conclude with stargazing through telescopes. Each Discover the Night Sky evening will showcase a different aspect of the night sky. Thursday 5 March: Backyard Astronomy It's not just stars you can see in the night sky - planets, comets, shooting stars and satellites are all there if you know when and where to look. Navigate by the stars and discover how you can become a backyard astronomer. Thursday 12 March: Travel the Universe We invite you on a tour of the Universe that will take you from Spotswood to the far reaches of space. You know the Universe is big, really big, but nothing can compare with experiencing it for yourself. Thursday 19 March: Leaving Earth It's been 50 years since the first satellite was launched into space. Now one satellite - the International Space Station - is a permanent home. See what it's like to live in space; why do we go there and where are we heading next? Thursday 26 March: Milky Way Galaxy We live on one planet, orbiting one star, among the 400 billion-odd stars of our Milky Way Galaxy. It is a truly magnificent spectacle, a swirling mass of stars, gas and dust. But what do we know of our home galaxy? And how did we come to discover it? Discover the Night Sky is part of a program run by Melbourne Planetarium to celebrate the International Year of Astronomy. "This year marks 400 years since Galileo Galilei first turned a telescope to the sky", said Dr Tanya Hill, Melbourne Planetarium Astronomer. "Discover the Night Sky encourages the everyday 'backyard' astronomer to be swept away by the beauty of the stars. Each week we delve into a different fascinating topic and reveal a little more about the mysteries of the Universe and beyond."

What's On at the Immigration Museum
Venue	Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Date	July to August 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm
Fee	Adult $8, child/concession FREE
Book	13 11 02 or museumvictoria.com.au/immigration museum
Handing on the Key: Palestinians in Australia For the majority of Palestinians in Australia, there is no lived experience of Palestine. Handing on the Key explores how the link to homeland is passed from one generation to the next through acts of memory. The changing identity of the Palestinian community through generations reveals the different and often emotional connections that Australians of Palestinian heritage have to Palestine. Date: 21 August to 22 November 2009 Talanoa: Stories of the Fiji community The name Fiji evokes a tropical paradise in the minds of many Australians, but this island nation has a troubled history. Talanoa (a Fijian word for 'story-telling') explores how and why Fiji'born people came to Victoria, and what values, beliefs and practices they have brought with them. The diverse and growing Fiji community presents a thought'provoking account of the relationships that sustain their connection with Fiji and have shaped their settlement in a new land. Dates: Until 16 August 2009 Cultural Diversity Quest Awards Exhibition The Quest Awards encourage Victorian students to celebrate their State's cultural diversity through creative expression. Announced during Cultural Diversity Week, the winning entries will be shown at the Immigration Museum in an exhibition opening for Refugee Week. Students' works reflect their investigation of cultural diversity within their school and community, and encompass a wide range of materials, techniques and ideas. Dates: Until 21 August 2009 Ancient Hampi: The Hindu Kingdom Brought to Life This international exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the stunning World Heritage site of Hampi in southern India. Using state of the art digital technologies, this new experience presents stereographic panoramas of an extraordinary site, with all its mythological, archaeological, artistic and historic significance. Ancient Hampi includes animations of Hindu myths and stories, aerial and projected photography, an immersive digital interactive space showing 360-degree panoramic images of the site and is landscape, as well as stunning night photographs of the temples taken by John Gollings. Dates: Until 26 January 2010

Nick Jr. presents YO GABBA GABBA! Live on Stage
Venue	Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane
Date	Friday 15 May - Saturday 30 May, 2009
Fee	Monday 2nd March
Book	www.yogabbagabba.com.au; www.ticketmaster.com.au; www.ticketek.com.au
Entertainment Store Group is proud to announce the world premiere of Nick Jr. presents YO GABBA GABBA! Live On Stage, featuring DJ LANCE ROCK and all of the characters from the hit series - Brobee the little green one, Foofa the pink flower bubble, Muno the red Cyclops, Plex the magic robot, and Toodee the blue cat-dragon. This super-cool live show will tour for the first time ever, heading to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in May, 2009. Nick Jr. presents YO GABBA GABBA! Live On Stage is produced by Entertainment Store Group. Yo Gabba Gabba! premiered on Nick Jr. in August, 2007. In the UK, Yo Gabba Gabba! won a BAFTA for best international children's show in 2008 and ranked as the No. 1 preschool program watched by children under the age of 4 across all Australian free-to-air networks. Yo Gabba Gabba! is a groundbreaking series with broad appeal among preschoolers, parents, teens and adults. The hit show features guest stars like Jack Black, Rhys Darby from Flight of the Conchords and Elijah Wood alongside bands like The Tings Tings, MGMT and The Roots. YGG! creators Christian Jacobs and Scott Schulz felt Australia was the perfect market to premiere the live version of their TV cult hit. 'Our fans Down Under have been so positive about Yo Gabba Gabba! that we thought Australia was the perfect place for our first tour' says Jacobs. Lance Robertson, who plays DJ Lance Rock, is 'so excited to be touring Australia' and is looking forward to seeing the country with the Gabba-gang. The live show will feature several top-secret Australian celebrity guests performing their favourite 'Dancey Dance', plus many popular songs from the series, including Party in My Tummy, Get The Sillies Out, and Hugs Are Fun. In April 2008 Yo Gabba Gabba! first launched in Australia on Nick Jr., the number one preschool channel for 0-4 year olds. Nick Jr. is proud to present the world premiere of YO GABBA GABBA! Live on Stage. Nick Jr. will launch Season 2 of the hit series on Wednesday 1 April at 7:30am and 4pm. Nick Jr. is the first channel in Australia totally dedicated to preschoolers, providing shows that stimulate, educate, involve and excite developing and enquiring minds. ABC 1 & ABC 2 will air season 2 in July this year. Brisbane: Fri 22 May & Sat 23 May Brisbane Convention Centre, Southbank Melbourne: Fri 29 May & Sat 30 May Palais Theatre St Kilda Sydney: Fri 15 May & Sat 16 May Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Homebush

What's On at Melbourne Museum
Venue	Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton
Date	July to October 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 5.00pm
Fee	Adult $8, children and concession FREE
Book	13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum
A Day in Pompeii: Melbourne Winter Masterpieces Exhibition The drama and tragedy of ancient Pompeii will be showcased in the Melbourne Winter Masterpiece exhibition A Day in Pompeii, on display at Melbourne Museum from 26 June to 25 October 2009. Cost: $20 adult, $14 concession, $12 child, $54 family (includes Museum entry) Ngarjun and Nakun: Our eyes, our footprints This exhibition explores the powerful collective story of the Mullet family, a Victorian Aboriginal family. Featuring paintings, textiles and objects from four generations of family members, the exhibition demonstrates the knowledge of culture and family connections that have been instilled through the generations by grandparents Albert and Rachel Mullett. Date: 10 July to 10 October 2009 NAIDOC WEEK 2009 program NAIDOC Week is an important calendar event celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In 2009 the week's theme is 'Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth'. Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre will be hosting a range of activities to celebrate NAIDOC Week. Date: 5 to 12 July 2009 Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award Exhibition This is an annual award-based exhibition showcasing the 10 best Australian contemporary functional designs in lighting, furniture, accessories and homewares. Victorian finalists featured in the exhibition include Bridget Bodenham, Stuart McFarlane and John Hoogendoorn. Date: 14 August to 25 October 2009 Design Now Do you ever wonder what the next big thing in design will be? What are the best emerging ideas and trends? See the designs of Australia's young design graduates who have competed with fellow students to exhibit their work in Design Now The group of finalists represent the best and freshest upcoming designers in Australia. Design Now is an Object Gallery touring exhibition. Date: 14 August to 25 October 2009 Dinosaur Walk Get ready to walk among, around and even above the Museum's collection of dinosaur skeletons in Dinosaur Walk. Come face-to-face with Amargasaurus and Protoceratop, as well as Quetzalcoatlus, the largest flying animal of all time. Dinosaur fans can touch displays of dinosaur teeth, bones and fossilised poo and discover how dinosaurs moved, what they ate and how they survived in their changing environments. Dinosaur Walk is the first permanent exhibition to be opened as part of Museum Victoria's Science and Life Gallery redevelopment. Date: Now showing

Autumn School Holidays at Melbourne Aquarium
Book	For presentation times, current entry prices and further information www.melbourneaquarium.com.au.
For the first time snow storms will descend on the new Antarctica exhibit at Melbourne Aquarium creating a beautiful blanket of fresh snow for our majestic King and cheeky Gentoo penguins to play on! Everyday throughout the school holidays, watch the penguins huddle together under the snow storm created by a snow-making machine - similar to those used on the Victorian ski fields. Don't miss the opportunity to see the exhibit transforming into a white wonderland right before your eyes! The Antarctica exhibit at Melbourne Aquarium mimics the light and climate cycle of the Antarctic, creating long days in summer and almost total darkness in winter - making the penguins feel right at home! Learn about living and working in these extreme conditions in the Aurora Ice Station, where you can dress up as an Australian Antarctic explorer, jump on a real ski-doo and check out how scientists live and work in the coldest, windiest and driest continent on Earth. Don't miss penguin feeds, special talks and presentations as well as art & craft activities everyday throughout the school holidays.

Flapjack Whale Watching Adventures for families and kids
Venue	Sydney, Departing from Darling Harbour or Circular Quay
Date	Each Sunday in August (2nd / 9th /16th / 23rd / 30th August)
Book	Call 02 9583 1199 to book or go to Cartoonnetwork.com.au
Each Sunday throughout August, Flapjack themed whale watching cruises will run on Bass and Flinder's Ocean Dreaming II, Sydney's most luxurious whale watching vessel. Kids and families will have a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Flapjack, watch the first exciting episodes of the series on the journey to the ocean, learn interesting facts about Flapjack's friend Bubbie the whale and friends, and then see real life whales in the wild. With entertaining games and The Flapjack 'Save Bubbie 'Save a Whale’ booklet, kids will be entertained throughout the journey and return with a new knowledge and respect for the underwater world of whales. The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack is set to sail into the homes of Australian children everywhere when it premieres on Monday 20th July at 5.30PM. It centers on the lives of an impressionable young boy, Flapjack, and his two advice-giving best friends: a crusty pirate called Captain K'nuckles and a wise talking blue whale, Bubbie, whose mouth they call 'home, sweet home.' Armed with an overwhelming desire to be known as a true 'Adventurer', Flapjack will do anything - and this means anything! - to pursue a life of adventure.

Indonesian Festa
Venue	Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street Melbourne
Date	Sunday 15 March 2009
Time	11am - 4pm
Fee	Children and Concession FREE, Adults $8
Book	Further details: phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/immigration museum
The Indonesian community and the Immigration Museum invite all Victorians to meet the community and experience the richness of Indonesian music, food, dance, craft and traditions. Victoria's Indonesian community numbers more than 12,500 and is also one of our fastest growing migrant groups, with a 14 per cent increase between 2001 and 2006. Indonesian Festa at the Immigration Museum offers the chance to learn more about the cultures and people of Indonesia, Australia's immediate northern neighbour. Activities on the day will include: -Music performances by groups including Melbourne Community Gamelan, Sixcomeling Band, Indomonashis Band and Permai Javanese Gamelan -Traditional Indonesian foods -Shadow puppetry (Wayang Kulit) performance -Performances of colourful and intricate Indonesian regional dances, such as: the Peacock Dance of Java, the Sekarjagat and Belibis dances from Bali, the Saman Dance from Aceh, among many others -Public workshops in Indonesian martial arts (Pencak Silat) and Angklung (a bamboo musical instrument) -Demonstrations of the traditional Indonesian artforms, including batik painting and caricature -Community information, Indonesian short films and displays There is a long history of Indonesian people living and working in Australia, beginning around 1750 with expeditions of fisherman seeking trepang (edible sea slugs). Throughout the 19th century, Indonesians worked on pearl-luggers and sugar plantations. During WWII the government of what was then known as the Dutch East Indies relocated to Melbourne, bringing with them an estimated 10,000 Indonesian workers. Although most of these early arrivals eventually returned to Indonesia, some remained and others paved the way for improved understanding between Australians and their northern neighbours. Between 1947 and 1956, only 140 Indonesians settled permanently in Australia, but as racial restrictions on Australian immigration eased, more Indonesians found a home here. By 1981 more than 3,000 Indonesians had come to settle or study, and today the community in Victoria numbers around 12,600 Indonesian-born Australians

What's On at Scienceworks
Venue	Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood. (Melway 56, B1).
Date	June to August 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 4.30pm
Fee	Admission: Adults $8, Children and Concession FREE
Book	For further details ph 03 9392 4800 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination Could cars that hover above the ground become the mass transit of the future? Will we ever have druids like C-3PO in real life? Fantasy and reality join forces in Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. This is the first exhibition to showcase more than 80 costumes, models and props from all six Star Wars films. Date: Until 3 November 2009 Cost: $18 Adults, $8 Concession, $6 Children (includes entry to Scienceworks) Winter School Holiday Program: Robot Roundup Find out what a robot is and how they differ from other machines these winter holidays. Explore how robots move, sense their environment and 'think' in a variety of free live performances and activities. Then head over to the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibition to see the robots featured in the popular movie series. Date: 27 June to 12 July 2009 Machines in Action Day This is a unique opportunity to see heritage steam engines and agricultural machinery at work. Items on display include the Cowley Steam Roller, Cowley Steam Traction Engine, the only working Australian made traction engine in the world, along with the Super Sentinel Steam Wagon, the K.L. Bulldog Tractor and many others. The day includes parades, hay-baling demonstrations and rides on the model steam train with the Springvale Live Steamers. Date: Sunday 2 August, 10.30am to 3.30pm New Lightning Room show: Amps, Arcs and Sparks Find out how sound travels, how an electric guitar works and how we can predict the distance of an approaching lightning storm in this 30 minute electrifying show starring sound waves and live lightning bolts. Date: Now showing, check the website for times Cost: $13 Adults, $4 Concession, $3.50 Children (includes entry to Scienceworks) Mathamazing Explore the mathematics behind everyday life. Mathamazing includes hands-on activities based on topics such as shapes, probability, sequences and series, puzzles, problem solving, topology and building. Date: Until 6 December

What's on at IMAX Melbourne Museum
Venue	IMAX Melbourne Museum, Rathdowne Street, Carlton
Date	March- April 2009
Time	Films screen daily from 10.00am.
Book	For session times visit www.imaxmelbourne.com.au or call 03 9663 5454
Watchmen: The IMAX Experience The eagerly-awaited movie adaptation of the most celebrated graphic novel of our Time, Watchmen, opens on Melbourne's Biggest screen - IMAX Melbourne Museum on March 5. From the director of the wildly successful 300, Watchmen has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® through proprietary IMAX DMR® technology. With crystal clear images, laser-aligned digital sound and maximized field of view, IMAX provides the world's most immersive movie experience. A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, Watchmen is set in an alternative 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society. An investigation into the murder of a government sponsored super-hero pulls them out of retirement and eventually leads them to confront a plot by one of their own to stave off nuclear war by killing millions of innocent people. Date: Opens 5 March Tickets: $21.00 adults, $17.50 concession, $16.00 child, $60.00 family (2 adults & 2 children) Under the Sea 3D Dive into an underwater adventure like no other at IMAX Melbourne Museum with Under the Sea 3D. Audiences will be transported in spectacular IMAX 3D to dazzling underwater worlds and their remarkable inhabitants -- from tiny Flamboyant Cuttlefishes to the fearsome Great White Shark. From the award winning documentary filmmaker Howard Hall, Under the Sea 3D, a new IMAX 3D underwater adventure, takes moviegoers to some of the world's most exotic and isolated underwater locations. Audiences come face to face with mysterious and stunning sea creatures living in the Great Barrier Reef and in waters around Southern Australia and the Coral Triangle islands of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Date: Opens 19 March Tickets: Cost: $17.50 adult, $14 concession, $12.50 child, $50 family (2 adults & 2 children) Monsters Vs Aliens 3D: The IMAX Experience Be the first to experience the latest DreamWorks animation, Monsters Vs Aliens 3D on Australia's largest 3D screen at IMAX Melbourne Museum. When a meteorite from outer space hits a young California girl named Susan Murphy and turns her into a giant monster, she is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years. As a last resort, under the guidance of General W.R. Monger, on a desperate order from The President, the motley crew of Monsters is called into action to combat the aliens and save the world from imminent destruction! Date: Opens 2 April Tickets: $21.00 adults, $17.50 concession, $16.00 child, $60.00 family (2 adults & 2 children)

A holiday is twice as nice with New Horizons Holidays
Book	For more information see www.newhorizons.com.au for your nearest New Horizons Holidays preferred travel agent.
What:Double Indulgence Holiday - eight night Singapore and Penang Where:Singapore and Malaysia When: This package is for sale until 12 March, 2009 for travel between 12 February and 31 March, 2009 Price: From $1573 per person, twin share including airfare and taxes flying Singapore Airlines ex Perth Details: Guests will enjoy two nights accommodation in a standard room at the beautiful Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen which includes American style breakfast daily, complimentary Wi-Fi access and the convenience of in-room coffee and tea making facilities. Then travel from Singapore to enjoy six nights of total luxury at the Bayview Beach Resort Penang. Here guests will receive American style breakfast daily and a RM75.00 credit for every RM500.00 spent on food and beverages at the hotel. What:Double Indulgence Holiday - seven night Singapore and Kota Kinabalu Where:Singapore and Malaysia When: This package is for sale until 12 March, 2009 for travel between 12 February and 31 March, 2009 Price:From $1523 per person, twin share including airfare and taxes flying Singapore Airlines ex Perth Details: Stay two nights at the Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen in a standard room and receive American style breakfast daily, complimentary Wi-Fi access and the convenience of in-room coffee and tea making facilities. Continue this holiday to magnificent Malaysia were guests will stay five nights at the lovely Langkah Syabas Beach Resort. Guests will receive complimentary airport transfers and American style breakfast daily. What:Double Indulgence Holiday - seven night Singapore and Kuala Lumpur Where:Singapore and Malaysia When:This package is for sale until 12 March, 2009 for travel between 12 February and 31 March, 2009 Price:From $1558 per person, twin share including airfare and taxes flying Singapore Airlines ex Perth Details: A shopaholics dream, this packages take travellers to two of the best shopping destination in the world. Stay two nights at the Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen including American style breakfast daily, complimentary Wi-Fi access and the convenience of in-room coffee and tea making facilities. Then on to another shopping Mecca Kuala Lumpur, where travellers will stay for five nights in a deluxe room at the great Dorsett Regency Hotel. What: Double Indulgence Holiday - 10 night Singapore and Langkawi Where: Singapore and Malaysia When: This package is for sale until 12 March, 2009 for travel between 12 February and 31 March, 2009 Price: From $2353 per person, twin share including airfare and taxes flying Singapore Airlines ex Perth Details: Unwind with two nights at the Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen including American style breakfast daily, complimentary Wi-Fi access and the convenience of in-room coffee and tea making facilities, before visiting Langkawi. Staying eight nights at the Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort, guests will be treated to an extended check out of 1pm, complimentary basket of the freshest tropical fruits on arrival and two bottles of drinking water which will be replenished daily.

Replica Refugee Camp
Venue	Adelaide: Victoria Square and Melbourne: Treasury Gardens
Date	20th Sep- 11th Oct
Time	9am-5pm
Medecins Sans Frontieres 1000 square-metre replica camp, will give people the chance to walk into a camp site modelled on refugee camps in countires such as Chad and Sudan. Tours will be guided by experienced field staff who can also share stories about lives in refugee camps and those who have fled their homes. Adelaide: Victoria Square 20-27th September Melbourne: Treasury Gardens 3-11th October.

The Biggest Adventure Race in the World is set to Invade the Streets of Sydney and Melbourne
Date	Sydney, Saturday March 7th 2009 and Melbourne, Saturday March 14th 2009
Time	10am - 4pm followed by an after-party.
Fee	Price for two person team: $175 per team.
Book	www.citychase.com.au
Sydney and Melbourne cities are set to be turned into obstacle courses with a bizarre competition billed as the biggest adventure race in the world. Over 25,000 people have taken part around the world, now it's your turn. All Australian habitants are invited to complete a series of challenges, ranging from eating live worms and holding deadly snakes to using a car to drive a giant football through a net, in a bid to represent Australia in the City Chase World Championships. Part obstacle, part scavenger hunt, teams of two will be armed with a cryptic clue sheet leading them to secret ChasePoints around the city travelling only by foot, bus and train. At each ChasePoint teams attempt to complete physical, intellectual and humorous challenges. The first team to complete the required 12 out of 20 ChasePoints and cross the finish line wins. It's up to each team the order they visit each ChasePoint; but a little strategic route planning, resourcefulness and determination can help. Nokia City Chase invites couch potatoes and fitness fanatics alike who want to try something new, and experience discovery, adventure and laughter. But remember it's not about winning, its all about the journey.

Centennial Parklands Family Fun
Venue	Centennial Parklands, Queens Park and the precincts and venues located at Moore Park
Date	Saturday 13 June 2009 onwards
Book	(02) 9339 6699 or www.centennialparklands.com.au
Winter doesn't have to mean staying indoors, especially with a host of new activities available at Centennial Parklands that will amuse and enthuse visitors of all ages. Adults can book into cycling, art and photography classes, Busby's Bore Walk, Birdwatcher's Breakfast, a Tree Tour and the popular Spotlight Prowls which are fun for the whole family; or bundle up the kids in their coats and beanies for affordable fun in the park where kids can play and learn in a safe outdoor environment. Keeping active throughout the cooler months and preventing winter weight gain can be a challenge, but with activities such as the Adult Cycling Skills class kicking off the program on Saturday 13 June 2009, it is easy to get outside and on the move. Qualified Cycling Australia coach, educator and personal trainer, Geoff Nash, leads the three and a half hour session aimed at improving cycle skills to practice and incorporate into everyday cycling. Learn insightful tips and build your confidence for cycling in a modern city environment. Parents with pre-schoolers aged two to five will delight in new activities for youngsters such as Noisy Nocturnal Neighbours where children will learn about nocturnal animals and how they are designed for night living. Wonderful Wriggly Worms presents information about water worms and earth worms, or for kids who want to discover more creepy crawlies, Unbelievable Bugs continues to be a popular choice. For art, craft and learning about different animals, plants and Park life, parents can book their children into Littlies By The Pond. Drawing Birds is a new class for children over five years old, as is the Wildlife Workshop: Possum Pals where kids can help the Rangers install a possum box for 'Lochie' the orphaned possum. At the Junior Arborists: What's Eating My Tree session, also for kids over five years of age, children will pot their own seedling to take home. They will also learn interesting facts about looking after trees and insects that live and feed on trees in the Parklands. Popular kids activities remain on the program including My Little Ponies, Pony Rides, Jewellery and Candle Making, Model Gliders/Kites/Yachts, Ranger for a Day, Orienteering and Mini-Rogaine. Sporting camps include netball, soccer, tennis, cycling, horse riding and golf lessons.

Harry Seidler first Australian House
Venue	Rose Seidler House on Sydney's north shore, 71 Clissold Road, Wahroonga
Date	Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 March
Time	10am - 5pm Lunchtime talks at 1pm
Fee	FREE
Book	For more information visit www.hht.net.au or T 8239 2211
Head to Rose Seidler House on Sydney's north shore to celebrate the life and work of architect Harry Seidler on Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 March when the Historic Houses Trust hosts a weekend of activities including lunchtime architecture talks, a book sale, food and the chance to explore this 1950s iconic house for free. Built between 1948 and 1950, Rose Seidler House was the first Australian commission for Harry Seidler; it is one of the finest examples of mid-century modern domestic architecture and is managed by the Historic Houses Trust. Throughout the weekend there is the chance to view rarely seen film footage of the Seidler family and the construction of some of Seidler's earliest works including Blues Point Tower and Marcus Seidler House in Turramurra. At Saturday's 1pm lunchtime talk, architect Jyoti Somerville will share her experiences of living in and adapting an iconic Seidler house and on Sunday, Harry Seidler's cousin Brian Seidler will be in conversation with architect Greg Holman discussing how he approached the alterations to his 1951 Seidler house. There will be lamingtons, tea, coffee and other goodies available from the local North Turramurra Scout Group stall over the weekend as well as a lunchtime sausage sizzle and the chance to pick up a bargain at the architecture and design book sale.

2009 Royal Melbourne Show
Venue	Melbourne Showgrounds
Date	17 - 27 September
The Royal Melbourne Show, is a great value day out, featurin:: animals and livestock; award winning food and wine; arts and crafts; amusement rides, showbags, free live entertainment, spectacular fireworks; and much more... Attracting 500,000 people on average each year, Victoria's most iconic event brings the very best of the country to the city. With countless unique and memorable experiences on offer, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the Royal Melbourne Show. Hotly contested every year, the prestigious Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, featuring the best turnout riders from across the country. The event is held in honour of three-time Royal Melbourne Show champion saddlehorse, Garryowen, whose owner died tragically whilst trying to save the horse from a stable fire 75 years ago. Showcasing the best in agricultural sustainability, the 2009 Royal Melbourne Show will feature a purpose built 'Sustainability Pavilion' offering patrons a hands on, educational experience. This new exhibit will feature a fully sustainable house, eco-market place, eco-cafe, green mobility garage and a regional and rural sustainability exhibit, giving showgoers the opportunity to learn about suburban and commercial sustainability. The adventure does not stop there, along with free live entertainment, thrilling rides and more than 350 showbags to choose from, the Royal Melbourne Show features a Farm Discovery Trail, sheep shearing and milking barn, providing children an opportunity to immerse themselves in fun interactive learning experiences. While the kids are busy learning about life on the farm, there is plenty on offer at the Royal Melbourne Show for adults. Patrons can take a stroll through the Grand Pavilion, sampling Victorian produce including dairy, meat, grains, beer, wine, confectionery and much more. The Great Tasting Experience stage should not be missed with informative food, coffee, wine and beer tasting sessions. Showgoers will once again be able to enjoy exhilarating free family entertainment including the Showtime FMX Stunt Bikes on the Coca-Cola Arena, exciting fireworks displays and Sunday Afternoon Sessions with live performances from some great Australian artists. For great value fun and entertainment to enjoy with family and friends, there's nothing like the Royal Melbourne Show.

Mother's Day at Hunter Valley Gardens
Venue	Hunter Valley Gardens
Date	Sunday May 10
Fee	Entry to the gardens is $19.90 per adult, $12 for children between 6 to 12 years of age, with Under 5's free.
Book	For further information regarding Mother's Day activities at Hunter Valley Gardens (Broke Rd, Pokolbin), visit www.hvg.com.au or call 02 4998 4000.
This Mother's Day, Sunday May 10, Hunter Valley Gardens will host a day to remember for the whole family, as mum will be spoilt, honoured and pampered like never before. With free chocolate, a pamper zone, live entertainment, great prizes, a gorgeous lunch special and activities for the kids, all set inside Australia's biggest display garden, mum won't want to leave! Sean O'Brien, Award Winning Horticulturalist at Hunter Valley Gardens says, "This is the one special day to say thanks to the lady who has looked after you tirelessly from day one - Mum. She has loved you, fed you, clothed you, read you bedtime stories, wiped tears, noses and grazed knees and given an endless supply of hugs and kisses. Every Mum deserves to be spoilt, so why not spend the day with her in the beautiful Gardens where she'll have an experience that will be with her for years to come." Activities to take place at Hunter Valley Gardens on Mother's Day include: Live Entertainment: 9.30am - 2.30pm Free Chocolate: 9.00am - 3.00pm Pamper Zone: 10.00am - 2.00pm Kids Activities: 10.00am - 2.00pm Cooking demonstration: 11.00am Free Prize Draw Lunch special: Amouse bouche: Smoked salmon and cream cheese with chives Main: Crispy skin chicken supreme with roast root vegetables, garlic Confit jus and parmesan tuille Dessert: Trio of Chocolate caramel tart, Mini honeycomb cheese cake, and Lime and coconut tart Time: 12.00pm for 12.30pm service Cost: $60.00 adult $20.00 Children under 12 (kids menu)

What's on at IMAX Melbourne Museum
Venue	IMAX Melbourne Museum, Rathdowne Street, Carlton.
Date	June to August 2009
Time	Films screen daily from 10.00am
Book	For session times visit www.imaxmelbourne.com.au or call 03 9663 5454
Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen - The IMAX Experience One of this year's biggest movies just got bigger! Director Michael Bay has shot six sequences of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen with IMAX cameras. This marks the second time ever (after The Dark Knight) that a major feature film has been partially shot using IMAX cameras. This stunning integration of the two film formats will translate into full screen images that will fill IMAX Melbourne Museum's 32 metre x 23 metre screen. The battle for Earth has ended but the battle for the universe has just begun. After returning to Cybertron, Starscream assumes command of the Decepticons, and has decided to return to Earth with force. The Autobots believing that peace was possible finds out that Megatron's dead body has been stolen from the US Military by Skorpinox and revives him using his own spark. Now Megatron is back seeking revenge and with Starscream and more Decepticon reinforcements on the way, the Autobots with reinforcements of their own, may have more to deal with then meets the eye. Date: June 24 Tickets: $21.00 adults, $17.50 concession, $16.00 child, $60.00 family (2 adults & 2 children) Van Gogh: Brush with Genius Experience Van Gogh's works on his largest canvas ever, with the new IMAX film Van Gogh: A Brush with Genius. Filmed entirely in 15/70mm film in France and the Netherlands, Van Gogh: A Brush with Genius captures the breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary colours of Van Gogh's most famous works, seen for the first time with the stunning visual effects of IMAX technology. This film traces this artist's remarkable journey from the time of his first canvasses at the age of 27 to the masterpieces he produces before his tragic death at age 37. Told through the eyes of Van Gogh and based on more than 900 personal letters, this film takes you on an emotional journey through the life and work of this troubled artist and the immense joy and pain he experienced. Date: August 13 Tickets: $17.50 Adult, $14 Concession, $12.50 Child, $50.00 family (2 adults & 2 children) Night at the Museum 2: Battle at the Smithsonian - The IMAX Experience Experience a day and a night at the Museum when Night at the Museum 2 is released at IMAX Melbourne Museum, with free entry into Melbourne Museum with every IMAX ticket. It's both a new 'night' and a new 'museum' for Ben Stiller, who is joined by several other stars from the original film, as well as new characters from history - including Amy Adams as famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart, Hank Azaria as villainous Egyptian pharaoh Kahmunrah, Christopher Guest as Russian tyrant Ivan the Terrible and Alain Chabat as Napoleon. Owen Wilson is back as cowboy Jedediah, and Robin Williams again rides into history as Teddy Roosevelt. Receive free entry to Melbourne Museum with every Night at the Museum 2 ticket purchased. Valid until June 21. Date: Now showing Tickets: $21.00 adults, $17.50 concession, $16.00 child, $60.00 family (2 adults & 2 children) Under the Sea 3D Dive into an underwater adventure like no other at IMAX Melbourne Museum with Under the Sea 3D. Audiences will be transported in spectacular IMAX 3D to dazzling underwater worlds and their remarkable inhabitants -- from tiny Flamboyant Cuttlefishes to the fearsome Great White Shark. From the award winning documentary filmmaker Howard Hall, Under the Sea 3D takes moviegoers to some of the world’s most exotic and isolated underwater locations. Audiences come face to face with mysterious and stunning sea creatures living in the Great Barrier Reef and in waters around Southern Australia and the Coral Triangle islands of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Date: Now Showing Tickets: $17.50 Adult, $14 Concession, $12.50 Child, $50.00 family (2 adults & 2 children)

Art Sparks: Dali Kids - National Gallery of Victoria
Venue	NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road
Date	Weekends, Sat 13 Jun - Sun 4 Oct, and school holidays Mon 29 Jun - Fri 10 Jul, plus Mon 21 Sep - Fri 2 Oct,
Time	10.30am-4pm
Fee	Free
Book	03 8662 1555
Imagination, dreams and excitement are all part of a child's experience when they discover Salvador Dali's art. To introduce children to Dali and his art the NGV has a range of activities to guide and inspire. As a new initiative, children can navigate the exhibition with labels written just for them - a trail of ants will be their guide. Kids can become artists like Dali when they join in the special art activities in the Dali kid's space. Parent/carer supervision required.

What's On at Scienceworks
Venue	Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood. (Melway 56, B1).
Date	February to June 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 4.30pm
Book	For further details phone 03 9392 4800 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks
STAR WARS: Where Science Meets Imagination The science and fantasy behind the STAR WARS phenomenon will take centre stage in a new exhibition opening at Scienceworks. STAR WARS: Where Science Meets Imagination features more than 80 costumes, interactive exhibits, models and props from all six STAR WARS movies. Where Science Meets Imagination is the first exhibition to showcase costumes and props from all six STAR WARS movies while exploring cutting-edge research and modern technologies that could one day make the fantasy world of STAR WARS a reality. Date: 4 June to 3 November 2009 Cost: $18 Adults, $8 Concession, $6 Children (includes entry to Scienceworks) Machines in Action Day A unique opportunity to see heritage steam engines and agricultural machinery at work. Items on display include the Cowley Steam Traction Engine, the only working Australian made traction engine in the world, along with the KL Bulldog Tractor and other historic machinery on parade. The day also includes hay-baling demonstrations and tours of the historic Pumping Station Date: Sunday 22 March Experiment Zone - Quake Shake Throughout weekends in February and March, children can take part in 30 minute experiment sessions and learn about design and construction. Build your own two-storey building that can withstand the force of an earthquake in this hands-on science workshop. Suitable for 6-12 year olds. Date: Weekends until 29 March 2009 'Mystery' Cornish Fishing Lugger Display See a model of the original Mystery fishing lugger and commemorate the voyage from Cornwall, UK to Melbourne in 1854/1855. The voyage is being retraced by yachtsman Pete Goss in a replica of the original boat, named Spirit of Mystery. The 37ft wooden lugger set sail in October, following in the wake of seven Cornishmen who made a heroic journey from Newlyn to Australia more than 150 years ago. The Spirit of Mystery has no engine and navigation is by the stars and sun. The voyage is due to end in Williamstown in early 2009. Date: Until 29 March 2009 Winning sky photos: the David Malin Awards Some of the most spectacular photographic images of the Australian night sky are on display as part of this touring exhibition. The display features the winners and selected entries from the annual photography competition named after the world-renowned astrophotographer and competition judge Dr David Malin. Entries are judged not only for their technical skill but also their ability to capture the beauty of the sky and the intrinsic interest of astronomy. The images on display range from spectacular shots of the moon and a lunar eclipse, to constellations and nebula, star trails and the Milky Way. Developed by the Central West Astronomical Society and toured by the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Date: Until 2 April 2009 Earth Quest - From Outer Space to Inner Earth Take off on an intergalactic journey from the outer limits of the solar system all the way to the very centre of the Earth. Learn about our fascinating planet through more than 30 interactive exhibits ranging from astronomy, geology, geography, environmental science to biology. This exciting exhibition includes the Cranbourne Meteorite Number 13, free Earth Quest Experiment Zone workshops and a special mineral specimen display. Date: Until 19 April 2009 Imagination Factory - Invent and Play Discover how simple machines can be used to create ingenious inventions. Investigate basic mechanical tools and find out how we use gears, levers, pulleys and cams in everyday life. With dozens of hands-on interactive exhibits, this exhibition will have the gears of your mind spinning with new ways to think about the mechanical world around you. Developed by Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre, Canberra. Proudly supported by Raytheon Date: Until 3 May 2009 Cost: $11 Adults, $3.50 children and $4 concession (includes entry to Scienceworks)

Prahran Market "Stepping Back in Time"
Venue	163-185 COMMERCIAL ROAD, SOUTH YARRA 3141
Date	Saturday 14 March
Book	www.prahranmarket.com.au.
The Prahran Market believes we have a double record - that the Mow Family are Australia's longest continuous running family run stall, in Australia's oldest continuously running Market. Prahran Market has been continuously trading since 1864 which makes us the oldest operating Market in Australia. Michael Mow's (our famous Mr Potato Man) grandfather Daniel Wong Mow set up his fruit and vegetable stand here in 1891. 118 years later the family business is still going strong with Michael Mow, a Legend in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Honour List. Michael is Melbourne's premier authority on potatoes and prides himself on sourcing unusual varieties, providing exceptional quality and rare varieties of seasonal produce like heritage apricots. "I knew we'd been here a long time," says Michael when records at the Stonnington History Centre revealed how long his family had a stand here, "but I thought from the 1920's or so. I didn't realise my family stall is 118 years old. That's ten years older than Victoria becoming a State in 1901!". Michael's grandfather, Daniel Wong Mow was a dentist in China but as his qualifications weren't officially recognised when he got to Australia he had to find other work. Daniel became a fruit and vegetable seller at Prahran Market. During WWII, Daniel Mow would sleep under his stall because there was only enough petrol to get him home to Bentleigh - once a week on Sundays. After Daniel, his daughter Mary Mow (1918 - 2005) worked at the stall from 1923-1987. Mary Mow, known as 'Mary of the Market', started working at her father's fruit and vegetable staff at the age of five. Some of Mary's earliest memories (recorded before she died) are the times she spent with her father on his horse and cart going to the wholesale market to get produce. "He'd just get a potato bag and fold it and put that over him if it was raining." Till the end of her days, Mary couldn't sleep much past 2am which was the time she'd have to be up to help her family all those years at their stall. A trait which Michael is pleased to say he hasn't inherited.

Under the Sea 3D
Venue	IMAX Melbourne Museum
Date	March 19
What makes this film special is that most of the footage is filmed in Australian and surrounding waters, capturing some of the most exotic and diverse marine life in the world. Filming locations include South Australia, The Great Barrier Reef as well as the Coral Triangle islands of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

THE WIGGLES GO BANANAS! LIVE IN CONCERT
Venue	Gold Coast Convention Centre, Enmore Theatre, Sydney, Dallas Brooks Centre Melbourne
Date	Tue 21 -Fri 29 May
Book	On sale now: www.ticketek.com.au
The Wiggles are set for another exciting year with shows this April and May, with THE WIGGLES GO BANANAS! LIVE IN CONCERT. In their latest adventure, the fab four will perform some of their catchiest and most infectious songs to date. They jump into the heart of the groovy animal kingdom with songs such as Kangaroo Jumping, Tasmanian Devil and Tiger Man, along with the old favourites including, Monkey Dance, Fruit Salad, Hot Potato, Rock A Bye Your Bear and many more. Coming along on tour with Anthony, Murray, Jeff and Sam and all their Wiggly friends, Dorothy The Dinosaur, Henry The Octopus, Wags The Dog Captain Feathersword and The Wiggly Dancers. Tour Dates: Tue 21 - Fri 24 April - Enmore Theatre, Sydney Fri 1 - Sat 2 May - Gold Coast Convention Centre Tue 26 - Fri 29 May - Dallas Brooks Centre, Melbourne Be quick they will sell like... Hot Potatoes... or perhaps Mashed Bananas!!!

Charles Darwin: HMS Beagle
Venue	National Maritime Museum, Sydney
Date	20-21 March
Time	9.30 am to 5 pm
Fee	free
Book	For general information phone (02) 9298 3777, or visit www.anmm.gov.au .
Charles Darwin… his life, his voyage of scientific discovery on HMS Beagle and the great surge of scientific research into natural history that he inspired. Attention will be given, for example, to two young contemporaries, Joseph Hooker and Thomas Huxley, who followed the more famous scientist on Royal Navy voyages to the South Seas (including Australia) and collected further remarkable evidence in support of his theory of evolution. Hooker visited Hobart while serving as an assistant surgeon on HMS Erebus during the 1839-43 Ross Antarctic expedition. With the assistance of Tasmanian collectors he published the first comprehensive description of the island's flora. Thomas Huxley was assistant surgeon on HMS Rattlesnake on its survey of northern Australia and New Guinea in 1846-50. The seminar In the wake of the Beagle - Science in the southern oceans from the age of Darwin will be presented by the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Australian Research Council at the National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour. It will coincide with the opening of the National Maritime Museum's exhibition Charles Darwin - Voyages and ideas that shook the world. The symposium is open to everyone. Registration for the two days (9.30 am - 6 pm) is $50, for one day $25. Light refreshments will be served in the morning and afternoon breaks. Registration also includes an inspection of the new exhibition.

The Greek Antipodes Festival
Venue	Lonsdale Street Greek Precinct's Melbourne (In between Exhibition & Swanston Streets)
Date	Saturday March 21 and Sunday March 22
Fee	Free
Book	ww.antipodesfestival.com.au or Ph 03 9662 2722
The Greek Antipodes Festival is excited to announce that Greek music royalty, Glykeria will light up Lonsdale Street at this year's Antipodes Greek Festival on the evening of Saturday March 21. Glykeria famous not only in her native Greece but around the globe will perform live in an open-air concert for this years Greek Antipodes Festival - a free weekend celebrating all things Greek on Saturday March 21 and Sunday March 22. "It's an exciting time for the revamped Antipodes Festival, not only are we overjoyed to present such a legendary guest for all of Melbourne to enjoy, but we return after a year away - once again turning Lonsdale Street into a fun packed Greek village, where the public can enjoy Greek food, arts and entertainment. We have a new enthusiastic artistic team, and are committed to the events" future said Antipodes Festival Chair, Leonidas Vlahakis. The ever evolving Glykeria will thrill audiences on the main stage on the Saturday evening, and the beautiful Greek-Canadian pop star, Maro Lytra, famous for her role in the Greek music reality television show Fame Story will headline Sunday night's entertainment. Greeks love their gardens, so those with a green thumb can come and learn simple methods in sustainable gardening and energy saving ideas with special guest Vasili Kanidiadis from Channel 31's Vasili's Garden. Kids can enjoy hours of activities in the large creative arts area and carnival rides, while the parents can relax in the new Greek garden area, where two screens will showcase footage from the two music stages and the stalls around the festival.

Movie Extra Tropfest
Venue	Broadcasted in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth
Book	For more information: www.tropfest.com or www.tropfest.ninemsn.com.au
-Special live performances by Tim Finn, and Andy Bull on the Gibson Artist Stage. -Air guitar competition with a chance to win a brand new Gibson electric guitar! -Special live performance by Dirty Laundry in Tropfest Melbourne venue. -Celebrity spotting on the Red Carpet -The debut of MAX Tropscore hosted by Yumi Stynes -First-ever live and national Movie Extra television broadcast -Jameson Lounge Bar with chill out area to watch the films

Dinosaur Walk
Venue	Melbourne Museum
Date	April 2009
Fee	Included in general admission prices (adults $8, children and concession card holders FREE)
Visitors to Dinosaur Walk will be able to see a wide variety of dinosaur casts up close, including crowd favourites Amargasaurus and Protoceratops, and touch displays of dinosaur teeth, bones and fossilised poo. Dinosaur fans will also be able to learn about how dinosaurs moved, what they ate and how they survived. "As one of Australia's leading natural history museums we have access to some incredible skeletons from sources all around the world. Dinosaur Walk will be the most spectacular exhibition of dinosaurs Melbourne Museum has ever put together", said Brett Dunlop, Manager, Melbourne Museum. The exhibition will also feature skeletons of Ice Age megafauna such as Diprotodon (the world's largest Marsupial) and Megalania (the world's largest lizard). "Dinosaur Walk will include specially created animations where visitors can see the animals come to life. All our visitors, regardless of age, are fascinated by these ancient animals. This exhibition will allow visitors to see dinosaurs and other pre-historic creatures in a whole new light," revealed exhibition curator Kate Phillips. Another highlight of Dinosaur Walk will be a Synapsid reptile, representing a group of animals that pre-dates the dinosaurs.

All Aboard HMS Discovery!
Venue	at The Rocks Discovery Museum, Kendall Lane, The Rocks
Date	From Monday 14 to Thursday 24 April
Time	1 hour sessions
Fee	$11 per child
Book	For bookings: www.therocksdiscoverymuseum.com or 1800 067 676
These April school holidays, kids can imagine life as 'the crew' aboard the HMS Discovery during the new fun-packed, interactive learning experience at The Rocks Discovery Museum. From Monday 14 to Thursday 24 April, kids from four to 12 years can get involved in a simulated 1792 ship's deck and wharf area for the voyage of HMS Discovery from Portsmouth, England to Sydney Cove. It is four years after the First Fleet arrived in Sydney, crops are failing and the colony needs supplies from England. HMS Discovery's 'crew' will be briefed by the captain to help stock the ship with stores for the colony and unravel the challenges of life at sea as they navigate the journey from Portsmouth to Sydney Cove. HMS Discovery takes place on the top floor of The Rocks Discovery Museum and the one hour hands-on session costs $11 per child. The program can be booked for schools, groups and birthday parties for a date and time of your choice through Sydney Learning Adventures. The Rocks Discovery Museum is a free, family friendly museum which tells the story of The Rocks area of Sydney from pre-European days to the present. Housed in a restored 1850s sandstone warehouse, The Rocks Discovery Museum is home to a unique collection of images and archaeological artefacts found in The Rocks. The exhibits are filled with interactive fun, using touch screens, audio and visual elements to bring the history of the area alive.

Persuasion: Fashion in the Age of Jane Austen
Venue	National Gallery of Victoria
Date	22 May - 8 November 2009
Fee	Admission is free
Opening on 22 May, the National Gallery of Victoria will present Persuasion: Fashion in the Age of Jane Austen, a timeless exhibition that will look at the dramatic changes in fashion during Jane Austen's lifetime (1775-1817). Featuring over 70 works, with the majority from the NGV Collection, Persuasion will survey the period 1770 to 1830 and will include fashion, prints and drawings, decorative arts and paintings, with a focus on English women's dress from the early 19th century. Persuasion: Fashion in the Age of Jane Austen will be on display at NGV International from 22 May - 8 November 2009. Admission is free.

The Great Apron Challenge to the Gold Coast
Venue	Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
Date	March 27 - 29
Time	10.00am - 4.30pm daily
Fee	Adults: $15, Seniors/Pensioners: $13, Children (5-16yrs): $7, Children (under 5yrs): FREE, Family (2A + 2C): $35.
Book	Tickets available at the door or online at http://www.craftfest.com.au/GoldCoast2009
With the revival of the domestic goddess and everything vintage or retro-inspired deemed 'oh so trendy' at the moment, aprons are back in a big way. Embroidered, lacy, patched, pleated, buttoned and beaded, they're coming out of the kitchen drawer and flirting with fashion. Launched at Craftfest in Sydney, the Great Apron Challenge is now bound for the Gold Coast. The Great Apron Challenge is open to all who want to have a bit of fun making an apron! From a range of materials and products supplied by exhibitors, you'll have one hour in the 'Sew & Show Room' to whip-up your apron with sewing machines supplied by Bernina before parading it on the catwalk in front of a panel of judges. Before you get behind the sewing machine, you'll have the opportunity to draw inspiration from a display of aprons created by our crafty exhibitors. All of which will be auctioned off at the final Craftfest for 2009 in Melbourne with proceeds raised going to charity. The Great Apron Challenge will take place three times daily with three finalists announced each day. One lucky winner will walk away with a brand new Bernina sewing machine. So, if you have ever wondered what it's like to be a part of a challenge like Project Runway, then this is your big chance. If sewing isn't quite your thing, there's plenty of other crafts to get involved in and excited about at Craftfest. And with so much expert tuition on offer, you'll walk away from Craftfest a much wiser DIY diva. Get expert instruction and stock up on the latest products and tools to start making one-of-a-kind creations. Get busy making your own personalised papercrafts and scrapbook albums in Fiskars Paper Inspiration; draw motivation from the interactive feature displays; improve your skills in 'Make & Take' classes and get expert advice in FREE seminars and stage presentations.

Little Big Shots, Melbourne's International Film Festival for Kids
Date	May 31, 2009-October 21
Book	(03) 8663 2583 or www.acmi.net.au or www.littlebigshots.com.au
A truly international festival, Little Big Shots includes over 90 films from 25 countries as far-reaching as Russia to Argentina, Estonia to Bangladesh and Finland to South Africa. Festival director, Chloe Boulton believes, "The festival is the perfect way for kids to see great stories from all over the world that would never otherwise make it to Australia. The themes and ideas covered in the films are incredibly engaging and relevant to the lives of all children." The festival also features a 10-member children's jury. On May 3, 2009 these children will come together to watch and vote on films in two categories: the best Australian adult-made film and the best Australian child-made film. The winning films will have the honour of being screened at the Little Big Shots launch on May 31, 2009 at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. The idea to stage a major Melbourne international children's film festival was originally conceived by Media Giants in 2004. Five years later, Little Big Shots has become its very own not-for-profit organisation dedicated to enhancing the media literacy of young people, fostering children's creativity and showcasing the very best in filmmaking for, by and about kids. Little Big Shots is now Australia's major stand-alone kids' film festival - a niche Australian event. With its focus on short films for kids plus plenty of competitions and opportunities for involvement, Little Big Shots is one of the year's most exciting experiences for kids. An Australia-wide tour follows and includes screenings at Warrnambool's Fun4Kids Festival (June 28 -July 5), the Adelaide Festival Centre (July 16 - 18), the Sydney Opera House (September 9 - 13) and Kyneton Town Hall (October 21).

Star Wars exhibition opening at Scienceworks
Venue	Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood. (Melway 56, B1).
Date	4 June - 3 November 2009
Time	Daily 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m
Fee	Adults $18, Concession $8 and Children (3 - 16 years) $6. Includes general entry to Scienceworks
Book	Tickets on sale April 2009. Gift vouchers now available. Phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/starwars
100 days to go… The science and fantasy behind the Star Wars phenomenon will take centre stage in a new exhibition opening at Scienceworks on 3 June 2009. Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination features more than 80 costumes, interactive exhibits, models and props from all six Star Wars films. Developed by the Museum of Science, Boston, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd., Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination is the first exhibition to showcase costumes and props from all six Star Wars movies while exploring cutting-edge research and modern technologies that could one day make the fantasy world of Star Wars a reality. Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination will offer an immersive exhibition that gives visitors a handson look at the ways in which the seemingly fantastic ideas seen in the films have or can become real-life technologies. The exhibition reveals the important roles that imagination and science play in the creation ofincreasingly sophisticated machines. Visitors will be able to investigate concepts like robotics, magnetic levitation, artificial intelligence and medical technology, and can try their hands at building and testing their own high-tech creations - all while reliving the magic of the Star Wars story. Exhibition highlights include: -Luke Skywalker's landspeeder from Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. -Authentic costumes and props from the entire Star Wars Saga, such as Princess Leia's famous white dress, Darth Vader's menacing black armour, a full-size R2-D2, and a stormtrooper uniform. -More than 20 hands-on interactive components that will appeal to everyone from the biggest Star Wars enthusiasts to those who wouldn't know Chewbacca from Yoda.

Charles Darwin - Voyages and ideas that shook the world
Venue	Australian National Maritime Museum
Date	20 March and remains on view until 23 August.
Time	9.30 am to 5 pm
Book	All inquiries (02) 9298 3777, or visit www.anmm.gov.au
A two-day symposium In The Wake of the Beagle: Science in the Southern Oceans from the Age of Darwin will be held at the Australian National Maritime Museum on 20-21 March. Symposium themes include Voyaging and Collecting, History and Philosophy of Science, Ethnography, Biography and Mass Media. Two-day registration is $50, one-day $25. For more information or to register, phone (02) 9298 3644 of visit www.anmm.gov.au/charlesdarwin .

Art Of Spain: The Dark Heart
Venue	ABC2
Date	Sunday, 1 March 2009-Sunday, 15th March 2009
Time	8:30pm
In this three-part series, art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon goes on the road to reveal the art treasures of Spain. The second episode follows Andrew as he journeys to Spain's centre to explore the art of the 16th and 17th centuries. From El Greco to Velazquez, this era was so extraordinary it became known as the Golden Age. But there was darkness beneath the glittering surface. Travelling from Toledo to Madrid, Andrew traces the rise and fall of the Spanish Empire, the brutal conquest of the New World and the religious madness of the Inquisition, and asks how some of the world's most beautiful art came out of such a violent period.

Scrapheap Challenge: The Scrappy Races
Venue	ABC2
Date	Tuesday, 3 March 2009- 17th March 2009
Scrapheap Challenge heads out of the scrap yard and onto the open road with five of Britain's funniest bodging threesomes, veterans of the heap, going head-to-head to build the ultimate all-round vehicle, for a crazy race throughout the UK. It's Scrapheap Challenge: The Scrappy Races. In the first race, hosts Robert Llewellyn and Lisa Rogers eagerly watch on, as five teams of amateur engineers have just five short weeks and only £1500 to build five awe-inspiring all-terrain roadsters from scratch. Then the Scrappy Racers head out on a gruelling thousand mile journey through the country lanes, leafy suburbs and inner cities of Britain, to face hair-raising challenges at three very special locations. Each week, as the championship unfolds, teams have eight hours on local scrapheaps along the way to adapt their vehicles for the challenges ahead. In episode one our five teams design and build their mechanical monsters from old scrap, in their own backyards. The pressure is on, as at the end of their build, their madcap creations must undergo a super tough roadworthiness test known as the SVA - or Single Vehicle Approval. If they fail, they won't be allowed on the open road.

Pulling
Venue	ABC 2
Date	Thursday, 5 March 2009
Time	9:55pm
Pulling is a new six-part UK comedy about the trials and tribulations of relationships and singledom. Donna is going to marry Karl. Or is she? On her hens night, as she watches her friend Louise stage dive into a crowded dance floor and her friend Karen recreate the Bacardi ad on the club bar, Donna realises with absolute drunken clarity that single girls have more fun. In this state of inebriation she declares the wedding off. What she doesn't see is Louise nursing two broken finger-tips and Karen desperately begging her random shag for something more than one night. Donna confronts Karl the next day and tells him she doesn't want to marry him, knowing that he'll be reasonable. He responds by begging Donna not to leave him, and running into the kitchen wall. The news that the wedding is off is disastrously announced at Donna and Karl's pre-wedding luncheon, presided over by Karl's intimidating mother and attended by their closest family and friends. Thoroughly humiliated and with nowhere else to go, Donna turns up at Karen and Louise's with everything she owns in bin-bags, and Karen clears out the windowless dump room for her. And so, Donna's new life begins.

Perth International Arts Festiva
Date	27-28 February & 6-8 March
Book	www.abc.net.au/reface
Street art all around the world remains controversial and divisive. Is it art? Over two weekends of the Perth International Arts Festival (27-28 February & 6-8 March) Reface will utilise large-scale digital projection to paint the nocturnal city streetscape of Perth. The Reface project will test whether people's attitudes to street art are different if the images are impermanent. Reface is one of two projects commissioned as a result of the 'iArts' (interactive arts) initiative, developed by ABC TV, ScreenWest and the Western Australian Department of Culture and the Arts.

Abu Dhabi
Date	until 14 February
Book	www.gourmetabudhabi.ae
Abu Dhabi's first premier gourmet event - Gourmet Abu Dhabi - begins today in the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) capital, with Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone playing a starring role in the event. The 10-day culinary journey, featuring the Arabian Gulf's largest-ever single gathering of Michelin star masterchefs and epicurean experts, will run throughout thirteen of Abu Dhabi city's top venues until 14 February. Visitors will be presented with the finest cuisines, best vintage wines and most unique dining experiences found in the emerging global capital. From Middle Eastern gourmet safaris to culinary masterclasses and food and beverage forums, Gourmet Abu Dhabi will marry culture and cuisine by showcasing the city's advanced modernisation, set against its rich heritage. On 11 February, 150 food lovers and connoisseurs will have the opportunity to sample Curtis Stone's creations in a one-night only 'Evening with Curtis Stone' celebrity dinner at the opulent Shangri-la, Qaryat Al Beri. Stone plans to demonstrate, why cooking is one of life's great pleasures

THE NIS
Venue	fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Date	Wednesday 4 - Saturday 7 March
Time	8pm (and 3pm on Saturday)
Fee	$25 full and $15 concession, Access Card $12
Book	Bookings: 9662 9966, www.fortyfivedownstairs.com
The Amplified Elephants, Footscray Community Arts Centre's ensemble for sound artists with and without a disability, are back with a brand new multimedia performance - THE NIS. The word NIS was made up by Amplified Elephants sound artist, Catherine Sutherland. It has no meaning and sums up the core of this exciting show, which is about exploring those experiences in life that cannot be explained. Directed by James Hullick, and featuring sonic performances by The Amplified Elephants and the Bolt Chamber Orchestra, this cutting-edge piece employs interactive screen projections, animations, choreography and robotic machines to create a highly emotive sensory experience. Intrinsic to the heart of this show is the clever interplay between classical instrumentation and new technologies, focusing in on making quality art that has social integrity and embraces artists of varying abilities. The Amplified Elephants is an ensemble for sound artists with and without a disability. Formed in 2006, the group was developed by JOLT artistic director and sound art tutor James Hullick and Footscray Community Arts Centre, as part of the Footscray Arts ArtLife Program. The BOLT Ensemble is a music and sound art ensemble dedicated to presenting projects artistically directed by James Hullick. Formed in 2004, the group works with techniques and ideas that exist outside mainstream music practices and combines traditional music instruments with technology.

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live- It's Time to Dance
Fee	On Sale Monday 2nd of March
Yo Gabba Gabba! is a fun live-action program for young children ages 1 and up. Join our host DJ Lance Rock as he introduces us to friendly toy monsters in a magical land full of music, dance, colorful cartoons and simple life lessons that will get you and your children up off the floor to learn and dance along. Muno, the red cyclops, Foofa the pink flower bubble, Brobee the green little one, Toodee the blue cat-dragon, and Plex the robot are ready to sing, play and teach whenever you're ready. Just say the magic words! YO GABBA GABBA!!

Top 12 for Trop Jr 2009
Venue	Sydney: Domain, Royal Botanic Gardens. Adelaide: Rundle Park, Adelaide. Melbourne: Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Canberra: Stage 88 Commonwealth.
Date	Sunday February 22
Time	Grounds Open 12pm
Fee	Free, public event
Book	www.tropjr.com
Trop Jr features 12 short films by Australia's youngest and most talented filmmakers, all under the age of 15. Last year's premiere of the festival brought together families, fans and film buffs alike in the Crescent Precinct of Sydney's Domain. The films displayed were a mixture of everything from documentary, to horror, comedy and Claymation. John Polson, Director/Founder of the festival said "Trop Jr's swift rise in popularity in its second year has been pleasantly surprising. We've seen nearly double the number of entries come in compared to its debut last year. We had a great response from schools and individuals around the country with young filmmakers from every state represented." Title: The Walnut Tree Director: Katherine Samarzia State: SA Title: The Can Director: Marc Levin & Brian Sack State: VIC Title: Trampoline Director: Jordie Katz State: VIC Title: Hold My Hand Director: Kai Mann-Robertson & Lochlan Broughton State: VIC Title: Big Bad Baz Director: Andrew Mills State: VIC Title: Dry Water: The Making Of Director: Gabriel Colomb State: NSW Title: Corporate Blob Director: Edward McAndrew State: VIC Title: Meeting Me Director: Ella Sandor State: NSW Title: Bindiana Jones Director: Silvermay Darlison Raines State: QLD Title: 142 Hours Director: Jasmin-Johanna Mobbs State: NSW Title: Ant Plague Director: Anthony Barnhill State: VIC Title: For the Love of the Game Director: Emmah Richards State: VIC

What's On at Melbourne Museum
Venue	Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton
Date	February to April 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 5.00pm
Fee	Admission: Adult $8, children and concession FREE
Book	For further details phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum
Top Designs 2009 Be inspired and motivated by the creativity and skills of the best design works from Victoria's final year VCE secondary school design students. Students' works range from film, furniture, fashion, graphic design, mechanics, photography, publishing and food. Top Designs also features the development of the final product. View folios, work briefs, production stages, product evaluations and design plans. Presented in partnership with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority as part of the VCE Season of Excellence. Date: 21 March to 12 July 2009 Dinosaur Walk Get ready to walk among, around and even above the Museum's collection of dinosaur skeletons in Dinosaur Walk. Come face-to-face with Amargasaurus and Protoceratop, as well as Quetzalcoatlus, the largest flying animal of all time. Dinosaur fans can touch displays of dinosaur teeth, bones and fossilised poo and discover how dinosaurs moved, what they ate and how they survived in their changing environments. Dinosaur Walk is the first permanent exhibition to be opened as part of Museum Victoria's Science and Life Gallery redevelopment. Date: 3 April 2009 Melbourne Museum Comedy Tour This Comedy Festival, Ben McKenzie, the Man in the Lab Coat, returns to host the Melbourne Museum Comedy Tour. Joining him will be Melbourne comedy legend Janet A. McLeod and The Collectors host and comedian Andy Muirhead for a spooky and exciting trip through Melbourne Museum after hours. Prepare to learn something new and have your funny bone tickled in this evening of science, history and laughter. Date: 16 to 18 April and 23 to 25 April 2009 Cost: $15 adult, $10 concession agIdeas 2009 NewStar The agIdeas NewStar Award is an opportunity for emerging Australian designers to enhance their design career by winning International travelling scholarships. The finalists, ranging from multimedia, 2D or 3D works, are exhibited at Melbourne Museum with winners announced at the agIdeas 2009 International Design Forum. Date: 24 April to 24 May 2009 A Day in Pompeii: Melbourne Winter Masterpieces The drama and tragedy of ancient Pompeii will be showcased in the Melbourne Winter Masterpiece exhibition A Day in Pompeii, on display at Melbourne Museum from 26 June to 25 October 2009. Exclusive to Melbourne, A Day in Pompeii is developed by Museum Victoria in partnership with the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei (SAP), and will feature over 250 objects from daily life in Pompeii and surrounds, as well as a number of body casts. Melbourne Winter Masterpieces is a Victorian Government initiative and is exclusive to Melbourne, Australia. A Day in Pompeii is presented in association with the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei (SAP). Date: 26 June to 11 October 2009 Cost: $20 adult, $14 concession, $12 child, $54 family (includes Museum entry)

The First Annual ADELAIDE SALSA FESTIVAL
Venue	South Australia
Date	March 27, 28 & 29
Fee	Full Pass: $220-$270 Full Pass Concession: $200-$250 Saturday Pass: $125-$150 Saturday Pass Concession: $105-$130
Book	(08) 8225 8888 or visit www.venuetix.com.au or $50 at the door
Prepare for the biggest Salsa event ever to be held in South Australia! The first annual Adelaide Salsa Festival includes 3 sizzling days and nights of spectacular dance performances, parties and workshops with the best of the best in the Latin dance industry! Some of the biggest names in Salsa - performers, instructors, musicians and DJs alike will come together to create an unforgettable experience! Experience the sultry Salsa, sizzling Samba, smooth Bachata and Zouk and the explosive Afro-Cuban Rumba all in one spectacular show with over 50 of Australia's and the world's best performers including - celebrity dancers from 'Dancing With The Stars' Luda Kroitor and Csaba Szirmai, Cuban stage show 'Afro-Cuban Express' and 5 times World Salsa Champion Oliver Pineda and many more! Learn from the best of the best in the Latin dance industry! From the Absolute Beginner to the Advanced dancer, there is something for everybody. You can choose from Salsa, Bachata, Spins, Cha Cha Cha, Mens and Ladies Styling, Cuban Salsa, Afro-Cuban Rumba, Rueda, Samba, Samba Axe, Zouk and Hip Hop Salsa! The Parties: Welcome Party $15 at the door Friday 27 March - Welcome Party Dance until the early hours of the morning with the best Latino DJs Australia has to offer! The Arkaba Hotel, 150 Glen Osmond Road, Fullarton Saturday 28 March - Gala Evening and Party Spectacular dance shows followed by live Salsa band Hugo Salcedo & his TNT! Norwood Concert Hall, 175 The Parade, Norwood Sunday 29 March - Farewell Party Finish off the weekend with another night of dancing to Australia's best DJs! The Arkaba Hotel, 150 Glen Osmond Road, Fullarton

Free Friend in Feb at IMAX Melbourne Museum
Venue	IMAX Melbourne Museum, Carlton Gardens
Date	February 2009
Time	Films screen daily from 10.00am.
Fee	Full length features: $20.00 adults, $16.50 concession, $15.00 child, $60.00 family (2 adults & 2 children)
Book	www.imaxmelbourne.com.au or 03 9663 5454
Take advantage of the Free Friend in Feb deal for these releases and receive a Buy 1 Get 1 Free voucher for any session in February by subscribing to GET THE BIG NEWS at www.imaxmelbourne.com.au

Graphic Novel movie mania this month at IMAX
Venue	IMAX Melbourne Museum, Carlton Gardens
Date	February Friday the 13th
Time	Films screen daily from 10.00am.
Fee	Full length features: $20.00 adults, $16.50 concession, $15.00 child, $60.00 family (2 adults & 2 children)
Book	www.imaxmelbourne.com.au or 03 9663 5454
The blockbuster 300 will return to Melbourne's biggest screen, transporting movie-goers to ancient Greece and into the ultimate battle as 300 Spartans fight for freedom and glory. On March 5 the superhero mystery adventure Watchmen hits IMAX Melbourne Museum. An adaptation of Alan Moore's landmark comic book series, Watchmen is set in an alternative 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society. An investigation into the murder of a government sponsored super-hero pulls them out of retirement and eventually leads them to confront a plot by one of their own to stave off nuclear war by killing millions of innocent people. To top off the graphic novel movie mania, IMAX Melbourne Museum has re-released box office smash hit and multi award winning The Dark Knight, which will run throughout February.

Gordon Ramsay to headline 2009 Melbourne and Sydney Good Food and Wine Shows
Date	From 5-8 June and 3-5 July
Fee	Tickets to the Good Food & Wine Shows will be available from Monday 2 February 2009
Book	Ticketek on 13 28 49. Pre-booking is the best way to jump the queues and guarantee the best seat in the house
Diversified Exhibitions Australia is bringing international chef Gordon Ramsay to Australia to headline the LG Celebrity Theatre presented by LifeStyle FOOD Channel at the Melbourne and Sydney Good Food & Wine Shows to be held from 5-8 June and 3-5 July respectively. "Gordon was such a massive hit at last year's Sydney show, we thought it only fitting that we bring him back to give Sydneysiders another chance to see him and give Melbourne a piece of the pie too," says James Laing, Exhibition Director. "We are building a new 2,500 seat theatre to ensure visitors have greater access to see Gordon and the other chefs in action in the LG Celebrity Theatre and wider aisles to ensure maximum visitor comfort." The 2009 shows will also see bigger features and highlights including: -More seats at the Lindeman's Early Harvest Restaurant where people can taste creations by Gordon and Australia's own renowned chefs -Hands on experiences including a cooking school, cheese masterclass and wine tasting sessions -The Melbourne Good Food & Wine Show will run for 4 days over the Queen's Birthday long weekend -More regional and organic producers Further information will be available on www.goodfoodshow.com.au

Charles DarwinVoyages and ideas that shook the world
Venue	Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour
Date	20 March - 23 August 2009
We all know travel broadens our vision and stimulates our thinking… but what sort of voyage was it that inspired Charles Darwin to construct his theory of evolution that shook the 19th century world's beliefs to their core? A major exhibition coming to the Australian National Maritime Museum takes you with him on HMS Beagle, introduces you to the people who sailed with him and shows you what they saw. And it places the Beagle voyage in the context of other early 19th century exploratory expeditions, revealing the sense of wonder they experienced as the natural world opened up to them. The Australian National Maritime Museum has assembled the exhibition Charles Darwin - Voyages and ideas that shook the world to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of his most famous work On the Origin of Species. And to coincide with the opening of the exhibition, the museum is combining with Sydney University to present a special two-day symposium (20-21 March) with eminent speakers from universities and other institutions in the UK and Australia. The exhibition opens with an introduction to HMS Beagle, a small (27.5 metre) survey vessel and an account of its earlier (1826-30) survey expedition to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego under the command of Phillip Parker King. It then introduces the young Charles Robert Darwin, born12 February 1809, the son of Dr Robert Darwin, a successful Shropshire physician, and Susannah Darwin, daughter of the famous potter Josiah Wedgwood. Charles was the fifth of six children in this well-to-do family.

Creative Gourmet Supports UnitingCare Pancake Day
Venue	Melbourne City Square
Date	3rd of Feb
Book	To register your event, and receive a UnitingCare Pancake Day host pack, call 1800 060 543, or visit www.pancakeday.com.au
Creative Gourmet ready-to-serve pancakes have joined UnitingCare Pancake Day by supporting the highlight event at Melbourne City Square on 3rd of Feb, the Emergency Services' Relay Challenge. "For people who won't get around to cooking, or who haven't got cooking facilities in the office, Creative Gourmet pancakes are the perfect way to get involved," says Creative Gourmet Brand Manager, Jane Westney. "Creative Gourmet has a delicious range of ready-to-serve pancakes which can be enjoyed as is, after several minutes at room temperature, or warmed in a microwave or toaster. "They are just the thing to host your own Pancake Day function this February. Serve Creative Gourmet flavoured pancakes, charge a gold coin donation, and help raise funds to support the vital work of UnitingCare". Available from the frozen dessert section at all leading supermarkets, Creative Gourmet pancakes come in three delicious flavours - Apple & Cinnamon, Blueberry and Chocolate. They are baked from the finest ingredients, snap frozen and ready to eat in moments - no cooking required.

Jamberoo Action Park celebrates St. George Illawarra Dragons Day
Venue	Jamberoo Action Park, 1215 Jamberoo Rd, Jamberoo
Date	Sat 7th February
Time	10am-5pm
Fee	Adults 13 + years $37 Children 4-12 years $29 Children 3 years and under FREE
Highlights for the day include: -10% off entry on the day for Red V members (terms and conditions apply) -First 100 Red V members through the gates to receive a free Dragons Centenary Medallion valued at $89 -The St. George Illawarra Dragons NRL team signing autographs and mingling with fans on the attractions -Play with the team in a 'Pass the Ball' competition -Learn from the best in the Rugby League Skills Clinic -Meet and greet the Happy Dragon mascot -Entertainment from the Flames cheerleaders -Dragons official merchandise for sale

Orchestra Victoria
Venue	Melbourne Town Hall, Main Hall
Date	Monday 16 February
Time	6.30pm (Doors open at 5.45pm) show goes for 1 hour and 15 minutes
Fee	Free
Book	Bookings are recommended: call 9694 3669
Orchestra Victoria returns to the Melbourne Town Hall to perform a free twilight concert led by Principal Guest Conductor, Marko Letonja. Orchestra Victoria will perform two invigorating works: Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol Op 34 and Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 1. Capriccio Espagnol, Op 34 is a work based on Spanish melodies. Written in 1887, it was originally intended for solo violin but Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov later decided that the melodies would be better demonstrated by a full orchestra. The Capriccio calls on a large percussion section and asks the violins, violas and celli to imitate guitars. Symphony No. 1 was written between 1924 and 1925 and first performed in Saint Petersburg in 1926. Dimitri Shotstakovich wrote this work as his graduation piece, completing it at the age of 19. The work consists of four movements, the last two are played without interruption resulting in a breathtaking 30 minutes of non-stop music. As a special highlight to the programme, renowned Australian organist David Drury will perform William Lovelock's Sinfonia Concertante with Orchestra Victoria on the magnificent Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ. Composer William Lovelock was born in London in 1899 and moved to Brisbane in 1956. He wrote the majestic Sinfonia Concertante in 1968 whilst teaching at the Queensland State Conservatory. The work is rarely played and is a hidden gem.

V-BALL (A Giant Inflatable Beach Volleyball Court!)
Venue	St Kilda, VIC
Date	08 February 2009
Time	10.00am - 6.00pm
V-BALL, Australia's first inflatable beach volleyball court, is the most fun you'll have on the sand this summer and it's about to tour the nation. Volleyball ranked as Australia's favourite beach sport for summer and now V-BALL is coming to St Kilda, VIC. Don't miss out on your chance to experience this awesome summer action! Everyone is invited to head down and hit the court. V-BALL is open to four-to-a-side games. However, don't worry if you don't have the numbers the V-BALL supervisors will hook you up with a team. Eight minute games will be played continuously during the day, so there is heaps of time for everyone to jump on the court. This summer it all starts with V.

What's On in Wellington
Venue	Wellington, New Zealand
Spoil yourself in Wellington Opera fans can catch Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's exclusive concert, In Love with Kiri, at the Michael Fowler Centre. Wellington-born tenor Benjamin Makisi will join Dame Kiri for the specially selected programme of romantic songs and arias Music fans can also check out 'Las Vegas legend in his own mind' Tommy Love's inspirational journey from boyhood to manhood at Frank Kitts Park as part of the Starry Nights Concert Series An enduring dark comedy of love and deceit, Betrayal is one of Harold Pinter's greatest plays. Tracing a seven-year illicit affair played out in reverse, the Circa Theatre show is a fun option for the single, the cynical or the anti-Valentine's set Food-lovers can dine on dishes designed to suit the different internal metabolic and chemical balances in men and women with Montreal master chef and molecular gastronomy practitioner Giovanni Apollo. His 'Aphrodisiac Dinner with Male and Female Enticements' menu is part of the five night dining extravaganza 'Apollo Mission - Flavours out of This World' at the Intercontinental Wellington Chameleon Restaurant. The hotel is offering a special Valentine's Day 'Gourmet L'Amour' Package which offers the five-course dinner, accommodation.

Play the Ben 10: Alien Force Heroes Challenge!
Date	Beginning Monday, February 2nd
Time	4-7pm
Book	www.cartoonnetwork.com.au
Kids nationwide will have the chance to show off their gaming skills with the launch of the highly anticipated Ben 10: Alien Force Heroes Challenge gaming tournament on www.cartoonnetwork.com.au. Beginning Monday, February 2nd, a new Ben 10: Alien Force game will be released online each week for three consecutive weeks. Kids are encouraged to compete in the online gaming tournament for their chance to win the Grand Prize: a one-week family trip in their very own campervan, just like Ben 10's "Rustbucket"! To participate, kids need to tune into Cartoon Network between 4-7pm to identify the Ben 10 alien in the ticker at the bottom of the screen and then go online to register. Entering the correct Ben 10 Alien name online will unlock the weekly game and allow users to compete for the highest score. For the first three weeks, the best performing player for each game will win a prize pack including a Ben 10 action cruiser, Ben 10 action figures, Ben 10 key rings and a Ben 10 alien USB memory stick. In the fourth week of the competition, all three games will be unlocked and available for completion, with the best overall performer winning the Grand Prize. The three games in the tournament are: Ben 10 Alien Force: Forever Defence Help Ben 10, Gwen, and Kevin 11 hold off the Forever Knights from invading the Earth using Swampfire, magic, and more! Jet Ray: In Too Deep Help Ben 10 alien Jet Ray navigate the dangerous depths of the ocean to avoid the Forever Knights and DNAliens. Ben 10 Alien Force: Omnimatch Swap tiles and create matching sets of aliens. Super stacks get bonus points!

What's on at IMAX Melbourne Museum
Venue	IMAX Melbourne Museum: Rathdowne Street, Carlton
Date	February 2009
Time	Films screen daily from 10.00am
Book	For session times visit www.imaxmelbourne.com.au or call 03 9663 5454
Free Friend in Feb! Get more bang for your buck with IMAX Melbourne Museum's Free Friend in Feb deal. Subscribe to the BIG NEWS at imaxmelbourne.com.au and receive a buy one get one free voucher to any session screening in February. Don't forget to take advantage of the Free Friend in Feb deal for Valentines Day and treat that special someone to a larger than life experience on Melbourne's Biggest Screen, where SIZE MATTERS! Grand Canyon Adventure 3D Jump on board for a thrilling river rafting adventure through the Grand Canyon and down the Colorado River, with Grand Canyon Adventure 3D. Set on the iconic Colorado River, Grand Canyon Adventure 3D invites viewers to take a ride on America's most thrilling rapids, for an unforgettable journey into the beauty and wonder of the Grand Canyon. Date: Now Showing Cost: $17.50 adult, $14 concession, $12.50 child, $50 family (2 adults & 2 children) Coming Soon Watchmen: The IMAX Experience Watchmen is the next exciting superhero blockbuster to hit IMAX Melbourne Museum. An adaptation of Alan Moore's landmark comic book series, Watchmen is set in an alternative 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society. An investigation into the murder of a government sponsored super-hero pulls them out of retirement and eventually leads them to confront a plot by one of their own to stave off nuclear war by killing millions of innocent people. Date: Opening 5 March Tickets: $20.00 adults, $16.50 concession, $15.00 child, $60.00 family (2 adults & 2 children) Still Showing African Adventure 3D Wild Ocean 3D Fly Me to the Moon 3D

What's On at Scienceworks
Venue	Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood. (Melway 56, B1).
Date	January to February 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 4.30pm
Book	For further details phone 03 9392 4800 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks
STAR WARS: Where Science Meets Imagination The science and fantasy behind the STAR WARS phenomenon will take centre stage in a new exhibition opening at Scienceworks. STAR WARS: Where Science Meets Imagination features more than 80 costumes, interactive exhibits, models and props from all six STAR WARS movies. Developed by the Museum of Science, Boston, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd., STAR WARS: Where Science Meets Imagination is the first exhibition to showcase costumes and props from all six STAR WARS movies while exploring cutting-edge research and modern technologies that could one day make the fantasy world of STAR WARS a reality. Created by the Museum of Science, Boston, USA, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd. Date: 3 June to 3 November 2009 Cost: Surcharge applies Earth Quest - From Outer Space to Inner Earth Take off on an intergalactic journey from the outer limits of the solar system all the way to the very centre of the Earth. Learn about our fascinating planet through more than 30 interactive exhibits ranging from astronomy, geology, geography, environmental science to biology. This exciting exhibition includes the Cranbourne Meteorite Number 13, free Earth Quest Experiment Zone workshops and a special mineral specimen display. Date: Until 19 April 2009 Cost: Included with Scienceworks admission Winning sky photos: the David Malin Awards Some of the most spectacular photographic images of the Australian night sky will be on display as part of this touring exhibition. The display features the winners and selected entries from the annual photography competition named after the world-renowned astrophotographer and competition judge Dr David Malin. Entries are judged not only for their technical skill but also their ability to capture the beauty of the sky and the intrinsic interest of astronomy. The images on display range from spectacular shots of the moon and a lunar eclipse, to constellations and nebula, star trails and the Milky Way. Date: 31 January to 2 April 2009 Cost: Included with Scienceworks admission 'Mystery' Cornish Fishing Lugger Display See a model of the original Mystery fishing lugger and commemorate the voyage from Cornwall, UK to Melbourne in 1854/1855. The voyage will be retraced by a yachtsman called Peter Goss in a replica of the original boat, named Spirit of Mystery. The 37ft wooden lugger is due to set sail this October, following in the wake of seven Cornishmen who made a heroic journey from Newlyn to Australia more than 150 years ago. The Spirit of Mystery has no engine and navigation will be by the stars and sun. The voyage is due to end in Williamstown in early 2009. Date: Until 15 March 2009 Cost: Included with Scienceworks admission Imagination Factory - Invent and Play Discover how simple machines can be used to create ingenious inventions. Investigate basic mechanical tools and find out how we use gears, levers, pulleys and cams in everyday life. With dozens of hands-on interactive exhibits, this exhibition will have the gears of your mind spinning with new ways to think about the mechanical world around you. Date: Until 3 May 2009 Cost: $11 Adults, $3.50 children and $4 concession Price includes general entry to Scienceworks

Rackhunters, The Jump Off
Book	http://www.bambammuzik.com or http://www.myspace.com/thejumpoffspace
The Potbelleez - "Yo, this bloody tune.. we're getting sick of the girls requesting it, but hey, how can you say no smoking hot chicks!" Stafford Brothers - "Really like the extended mix. That trumpet sax or whatever it is is brilliant!" Ajax - "To be flogged like a dead horse, its bassline makes piglets squeal. But it ain't no field mouse... its a barnyard stomper" Ray Antonelli - "Tracks like this come in real handy, especially when guests come over and im fresh out of drink coasters, only problem is peeps keep stealing the copies of this to listen to, can you please send me another promo Piper!" Kid Kenobi - "Takin it back to where it all began.. Rave on! The Jump Off are in the house and about to blow! Bo!" Defying all forms of gravity, sound, low-end frequency, comes: 'The Jump Off.' It's a meeting of the minds brought to you by two of Sydney's biggest players around town: Tom Piper & Elroy. The guys behind the #2 ARIA Club Chart smash hit 'Point 'n' Clap.' Rackhunters went top 10 (#9) in the ARIA Club Chart

Dangerzone by Chris Sorbello
Book	http://www.entouragemanagement.com.au/dangerzone/dangerzone.html
Very cute track.. look forward to playing this in the mix show this weekend! - DJ Ron Slomowicz, Guide to Dance Music Marco/Andy F Dance Remix has a very nice sound. Could be big. - Aarom Morgan Love the marco & andy f mix.. awesome vox and beats.. 8/10 - Kacey Baker Wow what a great new talent backed up with good production form Marco De Mark. Hope to hear more! - DJ SAREZ Chris Sorbello - Australia's most exciting new talent gets a helping hand from killer dance producer Marco De Mark on this infectious debut single. Chris has been playing live across the country in a show that features Rob Kay (of Cabin Crew fame), as well as hot Sydney DJ/Producer Neon Stereo.

St Kilda Festival
Date	Feb 8
Book	www.stkildafestival.com.au
New to the village is the Discovery Channel's obstacle course; MTV is giving festival goers the chance to pretend they're a rock star and film a rock video; and for those who like to wrestle can test their skills in the Fox 8 mini wrestling ring. On the village's main stage, stars from Australia's Next Top Model will hold a model walk off to become St Kilda's Next Top Model. Project Runway will invite Melbourne designers to show off their designs and dare to be critiqued by PR judges Sarah Gale and Henry Roth. Returning to the Festival; film your own Weather Report with The Weather Channel and your own news report at the BBC; have your photo taken with your favourite movie stars in the movie channel's marquee, and try your luck on FUEL TV's inflatable surf rider and mechanical bull rider. For the younger kids, they can have their photo taken with their favourite FOXTEL characters, including TV1's Mr T, Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants, Ben 10, Scooby Doo, Tweenies and live shows from Nick Jr.'s Dora the Explorer. Kids also need to make a stop at the CBeebies Kidzone where they can be entertained with music by the Gee Whiz Kids, magic with Terry McSweeney, face painting with Suzie Sparkles and craft workshops. Iconic to St Kilda, Luna Park promises fun for the kids with roving characters and performers including RedMo the Pirate, Red the Clown and Pirate Fancy Gold Pants.

Inaugural Chinese Gardens Chamber Music Festival
Venue	Darling Harbour, Chinese Gardens (wheelchair access available)
Date	Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 February 2009.
Time	Pre-concert talks start at 6:30pm and concerts begin at 7:00pm.
Fee	Single Tickets Reserved: $85 Single Tickets Unreserved*: $65 All tickets include Chinese meal with Australian wine (vegetarian option available)
Book	Musica Viva box office: 1 800 688 482 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
5 to 8 February the idyllic setting of the Chinese Gardens in Darling Harbour will be the venue for the jewel in the crown of this year's Chinese New Year celebrations. The inaugural Chinese Gardens Chamber Music Festival will unveil connections and unexpected cross-overs between Chinese and European music, old and contemporary. Artistic Director John Z Huie, who has returned to Australia after living and working in China for 18 years, will present the first Chinese Gardens Chamber Music Festival ever held in Australia. With more than 28 extraordinary musicians from China and Australia performing classics from Debussy to Dvorak, this is a unique opportunity to hear a wide ranging repertoire blending Chinese, Australian and European music, new and old. Festival highlights include a rare opportunity to hear traditional Suzhou (Chinese) Opera, 'pingtan', a gentle chamber opera which features the superb pentatonic harmonies of the ancient instruments of China; guzheng virtuoso Fang Yu, principal of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra; local Chinese instrumentalists Wang Zheng Ting (sheng) and Changning Chai (dizi); Australian pianists Kristian Chong, Michael Kieran Harvey and Brenda Jones, playing works by Ravel, Debussy and Dvorak; and The Chinese Australian Chamber Ensemble: Lulu Liu (pipa), Ying Liu (erhu), Jin Feng (yang qin) and Tony Wheeler (zhong ruan and guqin).

Head to Darling Harbour for Sydney's biggest Australia Day party!
Venue	Darling Harbour, Sydney
Date	26th January Australia Day
Time	From 11.30am-9pm
Book	www.darlingharbour.com
Darling Harbour promises Sydney's most spectacular Australia Day celebrations with free live family entertainment, international cuisine, harbour parades and breathtaking fireworks. PICNIC ON TUMBALONG PARK 11.30am - 6pm Don't miss ABC for Kids performers hosted by Jay Laga'aia including Bananas in Pyjamas, Spot, Fifi and Bumble and the Koala Bothers! Popular Melbourne children's band The Mighty Buzzniks and one of Australia's most exciting young bands, Chasing Bailey, also perform. TWILIGHT CEREMONY ON COCKLE BAY 7pm - 8.40pm Highlights include the harbour vessel parade, the Governor's arrival and message, the big ships display and the Premier's message. AUSTRALIA DAY SPECTACULAR ON COCKLE BAY 8.40pm - 9pm A stunning multimedia symphony of light, sound and music for all ages building up to a breathtaking finale of fireworks with spectacular audio and visual effects

Billy Elliot the Musical
Date	from Tuesday 13 January midday, until Tuesday 20 January, 9am
Book	http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=BILLYELL09
New tickets now released to the biggest sensation in Melbourne! London, Sydney, New York and now Melbourne. The global smash hit Billy Elliot the Musical has finally arrived, and Melbourne is loving it! Hailed by the New York Post as "the best show you'll ever see", Billy Elliot the Musical is not to be missed. "Sometimes you see a show that moves, entertains and enthralls its audience so completely it defies normal rules" - Sunday Mail Playing for a limited season only, be a part of the musical phenomenon that has now become an international hit! Don't miss out! Book your tickets for the new performances of Billy Elliot the Musical during the My Ticketek internet pre-sale from Tuesday 13 January midday, until Tuesday 20 January, 9am.

Celebrate Australia Day at the National Maritime Museum
Venue	The National Maritime Museum, at Darling Harbour
Date	Monday, 26 January
Time	9.30 am to 6.00 pm
Fee	Admission to the destroyer HMAS Vampire: $2 per adult, $1 per child/concession, or $5 per family (2 adults + 4 kids) - that's more than 85% off the usual price! Entry to the museum is free.
Book	All inquiries, phone (02) 9298 3777 or visit www.anmm.gov.au
FREE live music and entertainment around the museum all day… look out for Colin Douglas' roaming renditions of great Australian bush ballads followed by an amazing log drumming performance by Echoes of Polynesia The museum's exhibitions will be open free of charge… as usual! Don't miss Vaka Moana - Voyages of the Ancestors which tells the story of the discovery and settlement of the Pacific islands - the last chapter in the story of human expansion across the globe. PLUS there will be a screening of the award-winning 2002 film Whale Rider at 11 am and 3 pm and a screening of the children's animated feature Horrible Histories: Highly Hawaiian at 2 pm... all FREE

What's On at Melbourne Museum
Venue	Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton
Date	January to February 2009
Time	Open daily 10.00am - 5.00pm.
Fee	Admission: Adult $8, children and concession FREE. Some activities have extra cost: Adult $10, Concession $4, Child $2, MV Members $2.
Book	For further details phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum
Walking Whale Circus Roll up! Roll up! The Walking Whale Circus will be making a splash at Melbourne Museum! See aerial performances and amazing acrobatics by students from the National Institute of Circus Arts in a spectacular summer holiday show. Be stunned by fish that walk and gasp at lizards that fly. The show will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and 150 years since he published On the Origin of Species. Time: 11am, 12pm and 2pm Date: Until 1 February 2009 Cost: Adult $10, Concession $4, Child $2, MV Members $2. Bookings: Call 13 11 02. Tickets are limited. Whale World Walking whales? Whales that lived on land? Jump into the deep of evolutionary history and discover the wonderful world of whales and learn more about their extraordinary changes over time. Watch Whale World TV and join in the fun in the whale activity area. Date: Until 1 February 2009 Indigenous Workshops During each week of the summer school holidays, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre is hosting creative workshops featuring Indigenous personalities. Uncle Herb Patten will showcase the traditional art of gumleaf blowing, dance to hip-hop music with Nikki Ashby and explore the Milarri Garden with Melodie Reynolds. Date: Until 1 February 2009 Ng Woka, Woka Nganin: I am the Land & the Land is me Lee Darroch, Maree Clarke, Debra Couzens, and Vicki Couzens are four Aboriginal women who continue Indigenous cultural traditions by making kangaroo tooth necklaces, echidna quill necklaces, emu feather skirts, string and wooden women's bags, feather flowers, and kangaroo and possum skin cloaks. This exhibition showcases these artefacts and reflects the artists' strong connection to country. Date: Until 12 February 2009 New Views 2: Conversations in graphic design 100 graphic design students and practitioners are featured in this thought-provoking exhibition of print and digital posters questioning the future of the graphic design profession. First seen in conjunction with the highly acclaimed New Views 2 symposium held in London, the exhibition addresses key issues such as design and the environment, social responsibility, interdisciplinary and professional practice, new technologies and education. Date: Until 15 February 2009 Yamatji Pirni: Many friendships - sharing life and art from the Western Desert This exhibition showcases artwork from the Western Desert Mob, a coalition of six Aboriginal art centres whose artists include painters, wood-carvers and weavers from Australia's Western Desert region. The coalition was formed to ensure that the wealth of artistic talent and economic benefits from the sale of Indigenous art are retained within the community. While considerable contention and debate continues in the art world concerning authenticity and ownership of Indigenous art and the impact of art dealers in the remote communities, Western Desert Mob also aims to safeguard the ethos of strong community, family and culture. Date: Until 22 February 2009

What's on at IMAX Melbourne Museum
Venue	UMAX Theatre Melbourne, Melbourne Museum, Rathdowne Street, Carlton.
Date	January 2009
Time	Films screen daily from 10.00am
Book	For session times visit www.imaxmelbourne.com.au
Grand Canyon 3D Jump on board for a thrilling river rafting adventure through the Grand Canyon and down the Colorado River, with Grand Canyon Adventure 3D. Set on the iconic Colorado River, Grand Canyon Adventure 3D invites viewers to take a ride on America's most thrilling rapids, for an unforgettable journey into the beauty and wonder of the Grand Canyon. Date: January 8 Cost: $17.50 adult, $14 concession, $12.50 child, $50 family (2 adults & 2 children) The Day the Earth Stood Still: An IMAX Experience The next big Hollywood blockbuster to hit IMAX Melbourne is the remake of a classic - The Day the Earth Stood Still: An IMAX Experience. The 20th Century Fox contemporary reinvention of its 1951 classic stars Keanu Reeves as Klaatu, a representative of an alien race that went through drastic evolution to survive its own climate change and comes to Earth to assess whether humanity can prevent the environmental damage they have inflicted on their own planet. Date: Now Showing Cost: $20.00 adults, $16.50 concession, $15.00 child, $60.00 family (2 adults & 2 children) Fly Me to the Moon 3D Join the Apollo 11 crew and three teenage flies for a space adventure like no other in Fly Me to the Moon 3D, the first-ever computer animated film produced exclusively for the 3D experience. Like those intrepid travellers back in 1969, Fly Me to the Moon 3D takes viewers to a place they have never been before. This G-rated family film created by nWave Pictures marks the beginning of a new era of computer animated feature films designed, created and produced exclusively to be experienced in 3D. Date: Now showing Cost: $17.50 adult, $14 concession, $12.50 child, $50 family (2 adults & 2 children)

World Kids Colouring Day ( www.world-kids-colouring-day.com.au )
Date	6 May, 2009
Book	www.savethechildren.org.au & www.staedtler.com.au.
Australian children participate in global art initiative in support of Save the Children. Calling on all teachers and parents - register now and help students and children to make this event successful. World Kids Colouring Day could change the life of a Colombian child forever and teach children about a very different world. STAEDTLER, the manufacturer of writing instruments, has united globally to support the international child rights organisation Save the Children through this special promotional day. In this colouring campaign, Australian children (and children the world over) are invited to colour and raise money for their beautiful artworks, to help other children in need. STAEDTLER is calling upon all teachers, educators and parents to get involved and organise their own colouring events at school, kindergarten and home. Ideas include; a colouring day or colouring workshop, or a colouring event in which the artworks are exhibited and/or auctioned, the possibilities for creativity are unlimited. Further information, suggestion, fundraising ideas can be found at: www.world-kids-colouring-day.com.au. On this website, schools and organisations are able to register to support World Kids Colouring Day, and receive a starter kit to inspire their colouring activities. There is even a beautiful 10 piece educational mural puzzle for the classroom wall of a Colombian scene. Also available are teaching resources and information to plan lessons and educate children about life in Colombia. As the world's largest independent child rights organisation, Save the Children works in over 100 countries, including Australia. With the donations collected from World Kids Colouring Day, STAEDTLER will support Save the Children's "Rewrite the Future" program which focuses on securing quality education for the millions of children out of school due to war and armed conflict in Colombia. STAEDTLER will support Save the Children to develop learning programs for children, train teachers as well as provide adequate teaching and learning materials. The universal language of pictures is understood the world over and unites children on all continents. Colouring is an important form of expression, especially for small children still discovering their world. World Kids Colouring Day needs the support of adults to help co-ordinate the fundraising events and to help children understand how their contribution can change the world of a child less fortunate. STAEDTLER will recognise those children and schools who have organised the most creative campaigns, those with the highest donation and those with donations totalling more than $500 ('Donation Champions') with great colouring sets.