Cambelltown Camden Community Band

Do you play an instrument or have you ever wanted to learn? The Campbelltown-Camden District Band is the place to be.

Casula Powerhouse is an easy 20 minute drive from Campbelltown. It started life as a power station but is now an arts centre. If you're interested in architecture it's worth visiting to see the way the art gallery, theatre and artists' residence has been integrated into the original building.

If you're interested in something beyond art and architecture, consider doing a ghost tour of the powerhouse. These are held monthly and conducted by the Australian Paranormal Phenomenon Investigators (APPI). Tours last two hours and include a light supper. Recommended for people aged over 14. For more info check out the Casula Powerhouse website,  the APPI website or Family Fun in Sydney.

Library open day

This Saturday, 26th May, the H J Daley library (the main library in Campbelltown, opposite Koshigaya Park) is holding an open day. This is a great opportunity to familiarise yourself with all the services the library has to offer and learn about things like Storytime for Kids, digital book borrowing (ebooks) and the Bookalicious reading program for primary kids.

For more info check out the main library page on the Campbelltown Council website (http://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Library) or the Campbelltown City Library blog. The Open Day is between 10am to 3pm. There will be a book sale, live music performances, face painting and giveaways.

Campbelltown Library also has a dedicated blog just for kids: http://campbelltownchildrensblog.blogspot.com.au/

What's On in Macarthur

Every month, Visit Macarthur produce a guide to what's on in the area. This can be picked up at various spots around Campbelltown including the Campbelltown Visitor Information Centre in Old Menangle Road (just down the road from Rydges Hotel), libraries and swimming centres. You can visit their website or download the October guide here. (PDF)

There's a few things happening in October that have caught my eye including an open day at the Macarthur Centre for Sustainable Living which is also holding some free workshops this month, and the OPA! Greek Festival at the Wizard of Oz Funland in Leumeah.

There's always something happening in Camden and Campbelltown so be sure to check out what's on.

Sunflowers in the garden

If you're lucky enough to have a patch of dirt, growing plants is a great way to keep the kids occupied in the long summer evenings now that daylight saving is here. Even if you don't have a garden, a large pot, some dirt and a packet of seeds is a great way to teach children where some of our food comes from.

Sunflowers are a great first plant for children because they're easy to grow and their rapid growth means kids can see changes daily. Junior Landcare in conjuction with Yates are encouraging kids to get gardening this spring by supplying free sunflower seeds and running a competition to see who can grow the biggest sunflower. The Sunflower Challenge website has everything you need to know about growing sunflowers.

Riverfest 2010

Riverfest is an annual event held at Koshigaya Park. It's aim is to promote environmental awareness and multiculturalism. There are creative and educational workshops available along with entertainment and internationally inspired food stalls.

This is a great informative event to take children to learn about our environment, resources and community organisations, as well as our local wildlife. You might even be able to smell koala poo!

A highlight of the event is the boat race where competing teams race along a dry 'riverbed'. The boats are made from recycled material, often on the day, and it's always fun to watch which teams will arrive at the finish line with their boats still intact.

This year, Riverfest will be held on Sunday 12th September from 10am until 3.30 in the afternoon. For more information, check out Campbelltown Council's website.

Bicycle Education and Road Safety Centre open day

To celebrate 20 years of operation, the Campbelltown City Council Bicycle Education and Road Safety Centre is having an open day. This is a free family event. There will be bicycle inspections (bring your bike!), face painting, jumping castle, education programs and sausage sizzle.

Sunday 11th July

10.30am to 2.30pm

The bike centre is located on the corner of Broughton Street and Moore Oxley Bypass, next to the cemetery. Access and parking is at the end of King Street. Children can also bring scooters but helmets must be worn whatever type of wheels you bring. There's also a playground and picnic tables.

The Centre is open every Sunday and Monday to Friday of the school holidays from 10am to 3pm. Entry is free.

Great Collection

The Cambelltown Arts Centre is a great place to spend a couple of hours, particularly for the older kids although younger ones will have fun running around the sculpture garden and seeing the koi carp in the Japanese teahouse. Currently the Arts Centre is showing the 'Great Collections' exhibition including items collected by Joseph Banks and Captain Cook on their voyages, paintings, tools, furniture, sculptures and other art installations from various collections including Brett Whitely and Picasso.
The Arts Centre is also currently displaying some of the famed duck collection of the late John Marsden. The Centre is located at the corner of Camden and Appin Roads near Aquafit. Entry is free and it is open from 10am - 4pm every day. Stroller friendly. We recommend following up a morning at the Arts Centre with lunch at Pancakes on the Rocks in Park Central. The installation of a fountain in Park Central in honour of John Marsden - he of the ducks - is now complete and worth a look.
The Arts Centre is running its summer holiday program from 5th to 18th January with workshops including Crazy Critters, Dinosaur Detective, Flower Pressing, Mini Musicians and more. None of the workshops are yet fully booked out so there is still time to enrol. Costs are between $5 and$12.50 with some activities free. Workshops mostly suit ages 6-12 but Mini Musicians has workshops for those under 5. Adult supervision is required for some workshops.
For bookings or further information, contact the Campbelltown Arts Centre on 02 4645 4100 or visit the Campbelltown Council website.

Wollongong Science Centre

A little bit outside of Macarthur but only 40 minutes easy drive from Campbelltown, the Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium is well worth a visit and makes for a great family day out.

There are lots of hands-on displays and free shows including the popular bubble and balloons show. The laser show is a small additional cost to the entry fee but should be experienced at least once.

The two-level centre is toddler friendly - although some get scared of the dinosaur displays - and suitable for ages 2 to 14 though adults can have fun too. Prams can be accommodated and there is a storage area for bags and strollers. There is also an on-site cafe and outdoor picnic area. Toilets are clean and well maintained. Lots of volunteer staff around to assist with explaining the different displays and answering the neverending "Why?"

Many of the interactive exhibits have been donated from Questacon. We visit at least once a year and there is always something new on display. The Science Centre is part of the University of Wollongong and open from 10-4 most days including public holidays. There is an adjoining shop which is well equipped and sells a range of fun stuff as well as local crafts.

For more information visit: http://sciencecentre.uow.edu.au

Spring School Holidays 2008

School holidays are also upon us and I thought you might be interested in this coupon which provides free entry for adults to Lollipops Playland. http://www.smartsaver.com.au/ss-company-profile.php?referer=searchresult&clientid=01642

The Campbelltown Bicycle Education Centre will be open over the school holidays. This is a great venue for kids of all ages. There is a sheltered playground for when kids get tired of riding around the planned section. Helmets must be worn and a ranger is usually on duty to check this rule is complied with. Entry is free. There is no kiosk, shops are within walking distance but best thing is to take a picnic lunch and mat or chairs and find a shady spot.

Upcoming Events

There are some great and mostly free family friendly events planned for next month so put these in your calender:

7th September (Sunday): Father's Day celebrations at Mt. Annan Botanic Gardens. Entertainment includes slot-car racing, jumping castles, POG circus workshops, vintage car display and stage entertainment with Camden Community Band and "Mad Rhino". The gardens open at 10am and entertainment starts at 11am. Entry is $9 per vehicle. For more details call 02 4635 7935. This is a new one for us so I can't offer a personal perspective but the Gardens are always a great place to visit.

20th September (Saturday): Cinema Under the Stars. This event is also held at the Botanic Gardens from 6pm to 11pm. Two family movies are shown on an outdoor screen. We've been to this for a few years running and it's a great night. There are food and drink stalls (coffee and donuts taste twice as good al fresco). My tip is to wrap up warm because it can get nippy. Take a blanket and cushions to sit on. Entry is free. For more info call: 02 4645 5029. For more upcoming events in the Camden area, including the Camden Festival, see: http://www.camdenonline.com.au/camden_events.php

28th September (Sunday): Ready-to-Ride Day. We attended this event last year when it was held at Eschol Park. It's a great day out for families that love to cycle. There are fun educational activities and great prizes to be won. Last year there was also a free bicyle check-up (including minor adjustments) through a local bike centre. This year the event is being held at the Ambarvale Sportsground Cycleway behind Thomas Reddall High School. 10am to noon. For more info contact Campbelltown Council on 02 4645 4921.

Also on Sunday 28th September is Our Kids Fun Day at Sweeneys. Sweeneys is part of Scenic Hills near Ingleburn, easily accessed off the motorway. Aimed at kids under 12 there are jumping castles, the Paddle Pop lion, the Hogs Breath hog (that's him in the picture), face painting and rides from 10am to 3pm. We went a couple of years back and had a great day out. Entry is free but a gold coin donation goes towards the Mater Dei School. For more info call 1300 305 802.