Under 8’s Week went off with a bang across the Bundaberg Region, exploring this year’s theme of unleashing scientific thinking through play.
Free events were held in Childers and Gin Gin with plenty of entertainment and activities on offer from a range of service providers.
Bundaberg Regional Council Community Resilience and Connection portfolio spokesperson Councillor Tracey McPhee said Under 8’s Week events were always a community highlight.
“Under 8’s Week is an annual state-wide event focused on play-based learning and the importance of the first eight years of a child’s life,” Cr McPhee said.
“The events held across our region not only get the kids out and about but also give parents the opportunity to come along and find out more about our local service providers.
“It’s a great opportunity for your youngest community members to gather together and most importantly, have some fun!”
Childers U8’s Day
Supported by the Isis Child and Family Program and the Childers Neighbourhood Centre, the Childers U8’s Day took place at the Childers Showgrounds with activities including face painting, a jumping castle, arts and crafts and a Science Show by Dr Joe.
The Childers Rural Fire Brigade were on hand to talk about fire safety and Lieutenant Antony Garret said it was always a great event to be part of.
“It’s really important that we come out to these community events because it’s good to create that awareness that we are here and have a presence in the community,” Lieutenant Garret said.
“It’s always good for the kids to see us not just in an emergency, but at something like this where it’s a much nicer setting and it’s a lot easier for us to talk to them.”
Gin Gin Family Frolics U8’s Day
The Family Frolics U8’s Day at Gin Gin State School was hosted by Child and Family Support and the Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities on offer.
Southern Cross Family Day Care was one of the service providers at the event and Coordinator Heather Hayes said their activity station was designed to ignite creativity.
“We’ve got a sensory tray and it’s all loose parts, so they have to use their imagination,” Heather explained.
“It’s great just watching the kids explore and use their imaginations.
“It gets the children out and to see what interesting things there are out there to do.”
The event was also supported by the Gin Gin Library, with a live reading and performance of The Truck Cat delighting the audience as part of National Simultaneous Story Time.
National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual event where a selected book by an Australian author and illustrator is read to children across the country to promote the value of reading and literacy.
