Author: Alison La Rose

January 2026 School Holiday Activities

Posted on by Alison La Rose

Looking for something to keep your child occupied during the January school holidays? Several of Council’s community centres are buzzing with fun workshops sure to keep your child entertained and learning.

 

BOOKINGS

Bookings in our January school holiday activities open 9am on Tuesday 16 December 2025.

 

TUESDAY 13 JANUARY

Sensory Play for Kids – SOLD OUT

Play, experiment, and have fun during this hands-on session for pre-schoolers! Your child will be delighted with different sensory activities dotted around the room that may include water play, playdough, painting and more.

  • Location: Taylors Hill Youth & Community Centre
  • Time: 10.30am – 11.30am
  • Cost: $5 per child
  • Age Group: 2-5 years
  • BOOK NOW

THURSDAY 15 JANUARY

Mystery Craft Workshop for Kids – SOLD OUT

Throughout this engaging session, your child will make their own masterpiece by utilising a range of different art supplies and materials including drawings, paintings, decorating items or collages. 

  • Location: Hillside Community Centre
  • Time: 10.30am – 12pm
  • Cost: $5 per child
  • Age Group: 8-13 years
  • BOOK NOW

TUESDAY 20 JANUARY

Native Animal Encounter

Discover mammals, birds, marsupials, amphibians and reptiles. Touch and hold hand-reared gliding possums or pat a tame dingo. Interact with parrots, lizards, frogs and turtles. Confront non-venomous pythons and marvel at salt and fresh-water crocodiles! All in the safety at Fraser Rise Children’s & Community Centre and led by our visiting animal expert!

  • Location: Fraser Rise Children’s & Community Centre
  • Time:
    • 10am – 11am (suitable for children aged 3-5 years)
    • 11.30am – 12.30pm (suitable for children aged 6-12 years)
  • Cost: $5 per child
  • BOOK FOR PRE-SCHOOLERS – SOLD OUT
  • BOOK FOR KIDS – SOLD OUT

THURSDAY 22 JANUARY

Bollywood Dance for Kids/Teens

Immerse your child in the joy of Bollywood Dance! Led by an experienced dance tutor, this class is a fun and dynamic blend of rhythm, movement and cultural expression.

  • Location: Hillside Community Centre
  • Time:
    • 2pm – 3pm (suitable for children aged 5-10 years)
    • 3pm – 4pm (suitable for children aged 11-15 years)
  • Cost: $5 per child
  • BOOK FOR KIDS – LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE
  • BOOK FOR TEENS – LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE

Term 1 2026 Programs & Events

Posted on by Alison La Rose

Great news, bookings in Melton City Council’s community centre-based programs and events for term 1 2026 are now open!

 

Start off the new year by sharpening your sewing skills, improve your health and fitness, discover your artistic ability, learn to cook new delicious meals, join a community garden, plus so much more. There’s something for everyone, no matter your age, ability or interest.

 

Spaces in many of our programs fill quickly, so it’s best to plan ahead and book early to avoid disappointment. Bookings are now open!

 

Click the link below to browse all term 1 programs across the City of Melton, or find your closest centre in the list below to browse programs at a location near you..

 

VIEW ALL PROGRAMS

.CAROLINE SPRINGS

STRATHTULLOH
DIGGERS REST
EYNESBURY
FRASER RISE
HILLSIDE
KURUNJANG
TAYLORS HILL
AINTREE/ROCKBANK
MELTON
HARKNESS
TRUGANINA (Mt Atkinson)
BURNSIDE

Atherstone Traffic School Family Fun Days

Posted on by Alison La Rose

Please note: this event is now at capacity and bookings have closed.

 

Melton City Council is thrilled to invite local children and their families to a series of Family Fun Days at the Atherstone Traffic School throughout November!

 

Join us for a fun-filled day of skill building and free food and activities for the whole family! Both events will feature:

  • Free wood-fire pizza
  • Free coffee
  • Free face painting
  • Free smoothie bike competitions
  • Free kids’ painting workshop
  • Free bike servicing, plus bike riding and maintenance education!

 

WIN A $500 VOUCHER

All attendees will have a chance to win 1 of 10 $500 vouchers for John’s Cycling Warehouse! Simply fill out the pre-event survey on this webpage AND the post-event survey on the day to go in the draw.

 

The surveys are just 7 short questions and should take less than 3 minutes to complete!

 

Both events are free to attend, however, bookings are essential.

 

Bring along your bicycle, tricycle, or scooter and helmet for use of the traffic school. Please note: Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

 

EVENT DETAILS

  • LOCATION: Atherstone Traffic School (266 Bridge Rd, Strathtulloh VIC 3338) 
  • EVENT 1:   
    • DATE: Friday 7 November  
    • TIME: 4pm – 6pm  
  • EVENT 2: 
    • DATE: Saturday 29 November  
    • TIME: 11am – 1pm  

September 2025 School Holiday Activities

Posted on by Alison La Rose

Term 3 has come and (almost) gone, it’s time for September school holiday activities! Council’s community centres are bustling with a wide variety of workshops and activities across many age groups including a Japanese cooking workshop, a parent/child painting session, children’s musical development, comic drawing, plus lots more.

 

All available activities are listed below, via PDF flyer and via the programs page of our website.

 

Bookings are essential for each session. Click the link under each listing below to secure your or your child’s space before they’re all gone!

 

MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2025

Cooking for Kids – Japanese Bento Boxes – BOOKED OUT

  • Location: Kurunjang
  • Time: 1pm – 2.30pm
  • Cost: $15 per child
  • Age Group: 8-14 years
  • BOOK

B Minor Music for Kids 

  • Location: Taylors Hill
  • Time: 11am – 11.45am (5-9 years) – LAST SPACES REMAINING
  • Time: 11.45am – 12.15pm (0-5 years) – BOOKED OUT
  • Cost: $5 per child
  • BOOK

Comic Drawing Workshop for Kids – BOOKED OUT

  • Location: Melton
  • Time: 9.30am – 11am
  • Cost: $10 per child
  • Age Group: 8-14 years
  • BOOK
WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2025

Together we Make

  • Location: Hillside
  • Time: 10am – 11am (4-6 years)
  • Time: 11.15am – 12.15pm (7-10 years)
  • Cost: $8 per child
  • BOOK 4-6 YEARS – BOOKED OUT
  • BOOK 7-10 YEARS – BOOKED OUT
THURSDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2025

Fiction Factory with Hey Dee Ho – CANCELLED

  • Location: Truganina
  • Time: 10am – 10.45am
  • Cost: $6 per child
  • Age Group: 4-9 years
MONDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2025

Comic Drawing Workshop for Kids – BOOKED OUT

  • Location: Taylors Hill
  • Time: 10am – 11.30am
  • Cost: $10 per child
  • Age Group: 8-14 years
  • BOOK
THURSDAY 2 OCTOBER 2025

Native Animal Discovery Experience – BOOKED OUT

  • Location: Eynesbury
  • Time: 10am – 11am
  • Cost: $5 per child
  • Age Group: 3-12 years
  • BOOK

Term 4 2025 Programs & Events

Posted on by Alison La Rose
Bookings in Council’s community centre based programs and events for term 4 2025 are now open!
.
The programs you’ve come to know and love will be returning including our popular exercise classes, gardening groups, creative programs, kids’ activities, craft groups and more. With something new and exciting always on offer, you’ll find other special events and workshops like a mental health awareness session, mandala art therapy, CWA baking demonstration, plus lots more.
.
Click the link below to browse all term 4 programs across the City of Melton, or, find your closest centre in the list below to browse programs at a location near you..

VIEW ALL PROGRAMS

.CAROLINE SPRINGS

STRATHTULLOH
DIGGERS REST
EYNESBURY
FRASER RISE
HILLSIDE
KURUNJANG
TAYLORS HILL
AINTREE/ROCKBANK
MELTON
HARKNESS
TRUGANINA (Mt Atkinson)
BURNSIDE

CLOSED – Children’s Week 2025 Talent Show EOI

Posted on by Alison La Rose

Expression of Interest – Little Legends, Terrific Talent Show

Expressions of Interest have now closed.

 

Melton City Council is inviting children aged 5-12 years from across the municipality to share their talents at our ‘Little Legends, Terrific Talent’ show in celebration of Children’s Week 2025! Event details
  • Date: Friday 24 October 2025
  • Time: 5pm – approx. 6.30pm
    • Performers to arrive from 4.30pm
    • Show begins 5pm
  • Location: Plumpton Community Centre – 19 Pear Parade, Fraser Rise, 3336
This non-competitive event is all about celebrating young community members and the many talents that bring them joy to perform. Whether your child/ren love to sing, dance, tell jokes, play an instrument, perform magic tricks, or something else entirely – this is their moment to share their unique skills and talents with the local community.
 
Little Legends, Terrific Talent is open to children aged 5-12 years who reside in the City of Melton. Single or group performances are welcome. Performances should be fun, respectful, and suitable for a general audience, including younger children.
 
If your child/ren is interested in participating, please complete the following form. Expressions of interest close: Sunday 21 September 2025.
 
Please note that parents/guardians are required to be onsite for the entirety of the event. Child supervision is required at all times.
 
Little Legends, Terrific Talent is not a competition, prizes will not be given for individual performances, however, each performer will receive a certificate of participation.

2025-26 Access to Early Learning (AEL) Professional Development Series

Posted on by Alison La Rose

Melton City Council is pleased to present its 2025/26 professional development calendar for early years educators working in the City of Melton.

 

With a focus on family-centred, child focused, and strength-based strategies these engaging sessions are free to attend.

 

Providers participating in this professional development series include:

 

Melton City Council’s Access to Early Learning (AEL) 2025/26 professional development series is for Early Childhood Educators working within the City of Melton. All sessions are delivered online. Registrations are essential.

 

WEDNESDAY 22 OCTOBER 2025

Responding to Resistance to Gender Equity

  • WHERE: Online
  • TIME: 6.30pm – 7.30pm
  • COST: Free
  • REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: 15 October
  • BOOK NOW

 

WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2025

Body Safety: Deepening the Conversation

  • WHERE: Online
  • TIME: 6.30pm – 7.30pm
  • COST: Free
  • REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: 12 November
  • BOOK NOW

 

WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY & 4 MARCH 2026

Challenging Conversations with Parents & Carers

  • WHERE: Online
  • TIME: 6.30pm – 7.30pm (2 x 1hr sessions)
  • COST: Free
  • REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: 11 February
  • BOOK NOW

 

THURSDAY 19 MARCH 2026

Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice

  • WHERE: Online
  • TIME: 6.30pm – 7.30pm
  • COST: Free
  • REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: 12 March
  • BOOK NOW

 

WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 2026

Confidentiality & Courageous Conversations

  • WHERE: Online
  • TIME: 6.30pm – 7.30pm
  • COST: Free
  • REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: 29 April
  • BOOK NOW

 

WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2025

Culturally Responsive Practice: Family Violence

  • WHERE: Online
  • TIME: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
  • COST: Free
  • REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: 3 June
  • BOOK NOW

Musical Development for Pre-schoolers

Posted on by Alison La Rose

Hey Dee Ho are returning to Thornhill Park and Truganina in term 3! With sessions built to engage and dazzle your pre-school toddler, you and your child are in for a fun and exciting morning each week at our ‘Music’ and ‘Sing & Sign’ programs.

 

‘Music with Hey Dee Ho‘ encourages children to learn the concepts of beat, rhythm, tempo, pitch and dynamics in a play-based environment, whilst ‘Sing & Sign with Hey Dee Ho‘ encourages your child to learn Auslan (Australian Sign Language) through song, dance and play!

 

Both programs are suitable for children aged 0-5 years and at under $10 per session, they’re an affordable way to make memories with your child.

 

Visit our website for more information and to book. Sessions will begin from 28 July.

 

Music with Hey dee Ho

  • WHERE: Thornhill Park
  • WHEN: Mondays from 28 July
  • TIME: 10am – 10.45am
  • COST: $45 for 6 weeks ($7.50 per session)
  • BOOK

 

Sing & Sign with Hey dee Ho

  • WHERE: Truganina (Mt Atkinson)
  • WHEN: Thursdays from 31 July
  • TIME: 10am – 10.45am
  • COST: $52.50 for 7 weeks ($7.50 per session)
  • BOOK

Free Gardening Workshops and Groups

Posted on by Alison La Rose

Winter is the perfect time to start thinking about how to get your edible garden in tip top shape for growing season!

 

Throughout July and August, we’re delighted to be bringing you a series of free workshops where you can gain valuable knowledge, practical tips, and confidence to apply what you’ve learned in your own garden. Whether you’re looking to develop edible garden beds, prune your fruit trees to promote growth or even use your home produce for a delicious winter soup, we have something for you! 

 

All workshops are free to attend, however, bookings are essential.

 

Free Home Gardening Workshop + Harvest Swap

At this special event, expert community gardening guru, Jono Ingram of We Love Aintree, will host a free gardening workshop, empowering local green thumbs to optimise their gardening practices at home.  

  • WHERE: Caroline Springs
  • WHEN: Wednesday 30 July
  • TIME: 10am – 11.30am
  • BOOK

Soup Soiree + Harvest Swap

Its soup season! Join us at this special soup soiree event where you’ll learn how to make a nutritious, low-cost soup using produce straight from your (or our community) garden, led by Western Health. 

  • WHERE: Kurunjang
  • WHEN: Thursday 31 July
  • TIME: 10am – 11.30am
  • BOOK

Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop + Free Coffee!

Looking to plant fruit trees at your home or need tips on how to tame your established fruit trees in your garden? Expert community gardening guru, Jono Ingram of We Love Aintree, is here to share his expert tips and tricks! Plus, enjoy a free coffee brewed by Jono himself from his onsite coffee cart.

  • WHERE: Kurunjang
  • WHEN: Thursday 7 August
  • TIME: 10am – 11.30am
  • BOOK

Djerriwarrh Produce Swap

Are you passionate about growing your own fruits, vegetables, herbs and seedlings? Do you have extra produce from your garden you would like to swap? Bring along your excess fruits, vegetables, herbs, seeds and seedlings to swap and share with others.

  • WHERE: Melton
  • WHEN: Thursday 28 August
  • TIME: 10am – 12pm
  • LEARN MORE

Free Community Gardening Groups

Melton City Council facilitates two gardening group programs at the Stevenson House and Kurunjang Community Hub, community gardens. Each week, group members come together to grow fresh produce and maintain the gardens surrounding the centres. Learn a variety of gardening skills like propagation, drought and frost resistance, planting for the right season, weed management and loads more in a fun and relaxed format. 

 

The groups are free to attend and run on a term basis. Term 3 2025 begins in late July, however, you can join at any time. Find out more information by clicking the links below.

 

Stevenson House Gardening Group

  • WHERE: Caroline Springs
  • WHEN: Wednesdays from 23 July
  • TIME: 10am – 12pm
  • LEARN MORE

Kurunjang Community Gardening Group

  • WHERE: Kurunjang
  • WHEN: Thursdays from 24 July
  • TIME: 9am – 12pm
  • LEARN MORE

July 2025 School Holiday Activities

Posted on by Alison La Rose

It’s mid-year already! As the second term of the year comes to a close we’re excited to have your child join us at a Council community centre for some fun activities over the July school holidays!

 

Council will also celebrate NAIDOC Week in July, you’ll see a combination of indigenous inspired activities on offer to your child amongst other interactive, fun sessions.

 

All available activities are listed below, via PDF flyer and via the programs page of our website.

 

Bookings are essential for each session. Click the link under each listing below to secure your or your child’s space before they’re all gone!

 

WEDNESDAY 9 JULY

Taekwon-do for Kids – SOLD OUT!

  • Location: Strathtulloh
  • Time: 10am – 10.45am
  • Cost: $5 per child
  • Age Group: 5-10 years
  • BOOK

Indigenous Experience for Kids – NAIDOC WEEK – CANCELLED

  • Location: Strathtulloh
  • Time: 12pm – 12.50pm
  • Cost: $5 per child
  • Age Group: 5-12 years

Indigenous Boomerang Art Workshop – NAIDOC WEEK 

  • Location: Eynesbury
  • Time: 5pm – 7pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Age Group: 6 years and over
  • BOOK
SATURDAY 12 JULY

Indigenous Community Art Workshop & Celebration – NAIDOC WEEK

  • Location: Fraser Rise
  • Time: 1pm – 3.30pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Age Group: All ages (families encouraged)
  • BOOK
THURSDAY 17 JULY

Fiction Factory with Hey dee Ho – LAST SPACES REMAINING!

  • Location: Truganina
  • Time: 10am – 10.45am
  • Cost: $5 per child
  • Age Group: 4-9 years
  • BOOK

Dance Crew – Jazz Dance for Kids – LAST SPACES REMAINING!

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