School’s out! Our guide to the winter holidays
School’s out and that means it’s time for fun! We’ve pulled together a guide to school holiday events, activities, and workshops to help you plan your school holidays.
This month we have many great activities to try including song writing workshops, embroidery, water colour, still life drawing, LEGO building, and Pokémon drawing workshops.
We’re also hosting a number of great community events including NAIDOC Week celebrations in Koonawarra, an all-ages live music night featuring local bands – Nooky, Scaps, Blakx and DJ FLY, and ‘Gumarra’, an Aboriginal culture experience.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said that tickets to these events are already disappearing.
“Council’s school holiday program is always very popular with our community. We’re encouraging parents, and young people, to book tickets as soon as possible to save your place at these great events,” Cr Bradbery said.
“These school holidays the theme seems to be creativity, in all of its many forms. Children especially seem to know instinctively that you don’t have to be perfect, to be an artist or be creative. Creativity is something we can all enjoy and many of these school holiday activities tap into this.”
Wollongong City Council is working towards making Wollongong a UNESCO learning city. Encouraging residents to find new and creative ways to learn outside of the classroom is a big part of this project.
Read more in our media release: ‘What could a learning city look like for Wollongong?’
“We know that learning doesn’t stop once the school’s out and although our school holiday program promises a whole lot of fun, it’s also a way for children and young adults to try something new,” Cr Bradbery said.
“I highly encourage everyone to check out what’s on offer and book your tickets to as many events as possible. Have a safe and fun school holidays and I hope that all of our students will be refreshed and ready to go for the next school term.”
What’s On?
Events, live music and more
What | Ages | When, where and how to book |
NAIDOC Community Events | All Ages | 7 July, 10am-2pm Koonawarra Community Centre. |
Nooky, Scraps, Blakx + DJ FLY WAVES – all ages live music event | All Ages | 8 July, starting at 5pm Wollongong Youth Centre. |
Gumaraa – Aboriginal culture experience, weapon show and tell, bushtucker, language and dance | 5+ | Various dates. Visit the Wollongong City Libraries website for more. |
Hang Outs – free WiFi, pool, games, snacks, gaming & Karaoke! | For 12 – 18 years Every Tuesday & Wednesday from 1-4pm and Every Thursday & Friday, 3-8pm | Wollongong Youth Centre - No bookings required. |
Explore your creative (or crafty) side
What | Ages | When, where and how to book |
Embroidery workshop | 12-24years | 5, 6 & 7 July, 1.30-3.30pm Wollongong Youth Centre. Email Council or call (02) 4227 8222 to book. |
Warhol’s donuts & cupcakes (drawing) workshop Be inspired by the pop artist Andy Warhol and create your own donut or cupcake artwork. Use bright colours to make your artwork POP! | 5-8years | Tuesday 5 July, 10am-12noon Wollongong Art Gallery. Costs $22 + booking fee. Book via Eventbrite. |
Fun with Mona Lisa (drawing) workshop Transform the famous painting Mona Lisa into a fun and quirky artwork. | 5-8years | Tuesday 5 July, 1-3pm Wollongong Art Gallery. Costs $22 + booking fee. Book via Eventbrite. |
Water colour circle Create an artwork using a roll of tape, a permanent marker and watercolours | 5+ | Various dates. Visit the Wollongong City Libraries website for more. |
Wooden Sneaky Snakes – decorate your own sneaky snake | 5+ | Various dates. Visit the Wollongong City Libraries website for more. |
Eggsellect Egg Carton Faces (painting) workshop Create a fun and kooky face using egg cartons. | 5-8years | Friday 8 July, 10am-12noon Wollongong Art Gallery. Costs $22 + booking fee. Book via Eventbrite. |
Learn something new
What | Ages | When, where and how to book |
Charcoal drawing workshop Learn a variety of drawing techniques when using charcoal. | 9-14years | Wednesday 6 July, 10am-3pm Wollongong Art Gallery. Costs $55 + booking fee. Book via Eventbrite. |
Painting Wollongong Harbour workshop Learn simple techniques to create a painting on canvas that will focus on our local attraction, Wollongong Harbour. | 9-14years | Thursday 7 July, 10am-3pm Wollongong Art Gallery. Costs $55 + booking fee. Book via Eventbrite. |
Nooky Song Writing workshop | 12-24 years | 6 & 8 July Bundaleer Community Centre, Koonawarra Community Centre & Wollongong Youth Centre. Email Council or call (02) 4227 8222 to book. |
Still Life Drawing with Collage Learn how to draw a still life using lead pencils and crayons. Add collaged elements using fabric. | 5-8years | Friday 8 July, 1-3pm Wollongong Art Gallery. Costs $22 + booking fee. Book via Eventbrite. |
Pokémon – Join illustrator Matt Lin in this fun, step-by-step Pokémon drawing workshop. | 8+ | Various dates. Visit the Wollongong City Libraries website for more. |
Buzz Wire – build your buzz wire then attempt to guide the metal hook along your course. | 8+ | Various dates. Visit the Wollongong City Libraries website for more. |
LEGO – play with LEGO and be creative | 5+ | Thursday 14 July, 10.30-11.30am Unanderra Library. No need to book. |
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