29 June – 14 July: Kids in the Park, Sydney Olympic Park
School holidays are just around the corner, so if you’ve got one kidlet, or a whole tribe you need to keep entertained for a couple of weeks, check out the Kids in the Park school holiday program at Sydney Olympic Park. The program includes more than 50 activities (including 12 new activities), many of which are free, or reasonably priced. Key activities include:
-Lodge ‘Sailing the High Seas’ Holiday Camp – a school holiday alternative to day-care, with a Residential Camp option for children aged 8-12 years and a Day Camp for 5-12 years. Activities include treasure hunts, pirate crafts, colour wars, cooking, archery, games and more.
– Mega Circus – A new event including a two-hour Flying Trapeze and Circus Skills class. Kids aged 4-14 can learn how to fly through the air on the 10 metre high trapeze rig and make a ‘catch’, as well as walk the tightwire, juggle, hula-hoop, acrobalance and twirl.
– AusCycle’s ‘Get Riding’ Program – Cycling skills are something your kids will use for life. This is a fun new program spilt into two age groups: Bike Control for 5-9 year-olds and Road Safety for 10-12 years.
– Mangroves…More than Just Mud – Offers 5-12 year-olds the opportunity to explore Bicentennial Park with a Park Ranger. Kids will discover bird and marine life that they never knew existed in the wetlands, whilst monitoring the weather with a hygrometer and taking a water sample.
– Fizzics – Gross and Gory Science – Make fake snot and wounds, vomit bombs, exploding pimples, and more in this gross science workshop. Kids ages 7-13 years with learn about the human body whilst having fun grossing each other out! There’s also a Fizzics Education – Chemical Concoctions Workshop on the same day.
– Painting Unleashed in the Park – This fun painting session allows kids to express their inner creativity and have fun with paints on a large scale, outdoors. Materials and protective wear will be provided.
– Kids on Canvas – Christmas in July Workshop – 6-15 year olds will love the opportunity to draw and paint their own masterpiece canvas to hang up at home.
– Kids who love being active can look forward to Rugby League and AFL Clinics, Gymnastics, Badminton, Table Tennis, and more.
– Kids who love reading and writing will also love The Writing Workshops: Future Fiction and Poetry: Images and Forms.
There’s something for everyone, so check out the full program at www.kidsinthepark.com.au
6-7 July: Gold Coast Airport Marathon
I could think of worse places to run than the Gold Coast. This marathon offers the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and get a bit of winter sun. This event is now in its 11th year, and has grown from 11,063 competitors in 2003 to an expected 30,000-plus this year. If your training isn’t sufficient for a marathon, there are plenty of other events for all ages and abilities, including: 5.7km Dash, 10km, Half Marathon, Wheelchair Marathon, Wheelchair 15km and Junior Dash. The courses try to make the most of the Gold Coast’s gorgeous water views. Register at www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au
One marathon participant, Michael, intends to take his running experience to the next level. Michael will run from Sydney to Surfers Paradise over two weeks, covering 860km to raise money for neuroscience research into diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, spinal cord and child injury, Motor Neurone Disease, stroke, falls, autism, sleep apnoea and chronic pain. Touched by these illnesses in his own family (Michael’s uncle had Parkinson’s disease and his grandmother has dementia), Michael is passionate about raising funds and awareness to help fight the battle against these diseases. Follow Michael’s journey at www.run2paradise.com.
13 July: 25th Anniversary of the Kookaburra Queen, Brisbane
Can you believe it’s been 25 years since World Expo ’88? It’s also the 25th anniversary of one of Brisbane’s iconic vessels, the Kookaburra River Queens. Folks of Brisbane, you can get involved in the celebrations by submitting photos (and videos) of your experiences with the Kookaburra River Queens. Photos could be from your wedding, formals, Christmas parties, birthdays, etc. on the Kookaburra Queen, or other images of vessels on the Brisbane River. Any other Kookaburra Queen related memorabilia or stories are also welcome. There will be a special lunchtime cruise on Saturday 13 July which members of the public are invited to join. Check out the website for more details: www.kookaburrariverqueens.com or connect on Facebook.
13 – 19 July: The Big Summer Juice Master Detox
If winter has left you feeling a bit sluggish, then maybe a good detox is in order. Jason Vale has developed a successful juicing program that promises to help you lose 7lbs (3.2kgs) in 7 days, whilst giving you better energy levels and clearer skin. Jason developed this program to combat his own health issues: he had no energy, smoked, drank too much alcohol, was overweight from eating too much junk food and had asthma, eczema, mild acne, bad hay fever, and very, very, severe Psoriasis. Jason no longer smokes, drinks or binges on junk food. “My Asthma has vanished, my eczema and acne have gone, my Psoriasis has cleared by over 90% and I am no longer overweight. In fact, on the health front I’m one happy camper! I am now also lucky to be able to help people who find themselves in a similar position to the one I was in,” says Jason. The program consists of diet, exercise and inspiration to kick start the changes you need to make for a healthier lifestyle.
Find out more about The Big Summer Juice Master Detox at www.bigsummerjuicedetox.com and learn more about Jason’s The Juice Master Diet 7lbs in 7 Days here http://www.juicemaster.com/au/shop/books/7lbs-in-7-days-super-juice-diet.html
21 July: Run Melbourne
The countdown to Run Melbourne 2013 has begun! Whatever your goal – supporting a charity, beating a PB or trying out a new distance – the event has something for everyone with 5km, 10km and the Brooks half-marathon distances. “In six short years Run Melbourne has become one of Melbourne’s most loved and participated-in events. Having raised over $1.9 million last year for a variety of charities throughout Australia, we hope people will again rise to the challenge in 2013 and help us achieve our fundraising target of $2.5 million,” says Fairfax Media Marketing Director Briony Amey. I speak from personal experience when I say that Run Melbourne is a great way to enjoy the sights of Melbourne. And with an endless selection of cafes you can look forward to a delicious breakfast afterwards! www.runmelbourne.com.au
23 July: KneeDeep Keynote Presentation: Derrick McManus, Adelaide
This is an unmissable talk from an inspiring man who has overcome adversity to carry on with his life and work. On 3 May 1994, Snr. Constable Derrick McManus was shot 14 times and lay bleeding to death for three hours before he could be assisted in South Australia’s most renowned police siege. In this keynote presentation, Derrick reveals his journey to recovery – not just physically, but so he could also return to his work with the elite Special Tasks and Rescue (STAR) Group. “Being shot 14 times with a high powered rifle isn’t something I asked for but I now believe it to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. I now know that it’s not what happens to us but how we deal with it that determines our future,” says Derrick. This is a captivating presentation that will leave you feeling moved and motivated. Tickets can be purchased here for $55.
KneeDeep is a training organisation and business consultancy that specialise in leadership, team development and project management.
27 July: Corporate Freedom Startup Bootcamp, Sydney
If you’re keen to start your own business, you’ll be in good hands (and company) at the Corporate Freedom Startup Bootcamp in Sydney at the end of July. Corporate Freedom is a startup inculbator program that “empowers corporate employees to start their dream business before quitting their day jobs, making the process of starting a business massively de-risked”. The Startup Bootcamp is an intensive day with seven of Australia’s top startup experts who will work with over 500 aspiring entrepreneurs. They will be running a one-day Startup Bootcamp in Sydney on 27 July 2013, where seven of Australia’s top startup experts will show over 500 aspiring entrepreneurs how to get started.
What will be covered?
- Workshops on solutions to the key obstacles faced when starting a business.
- Speakers including: best-selling international author Brian Sher, Peter Davison (seed investor in Paypal with $1.5bn exit) and Sarah Riegelhuth (founder Wealth Enhancers, youngest ever board member to Association of Financial Advisors).
- Who is this for? Startup Bootcamp is an essential stepping stone for anyone who is keen to do their own thing, but not sure where to start.
Corporate to Freedom also offer a 12 month enabler program, to guide budding entrepreneurs through the process of building their startup, step by step.
Tickets from $97. Visit www.corporatetofreedom.com for tickets and further details.
27 July: Mountain Design Adventure Race, Canberra, ACT
If you missed last month’s Mountain Design Adventure Race in VIC (or if you’re an
Adventure Race junkie), head to Canberra for another action-packed day of racing. It doesn’t matter if you’re not an expert with a map and compass because the series now includes a Magellan Explore course where participants can use a GPS.
What is Mountain Design Adventure Racing?
• A new concept in adventure racing that caters for individuals and teams, from beginner level through to experienced racers.
• A varied course that includes compulsory legs of mountain biking, trail running and trekking, then a choice of adventure legs which can include anything from kayaking, swimming, canoeing, rock climbing, canyoning, tubing, white water rafting, coasteering, abseiling or archery.
• Races include three levels of difficulty:
1. HARDCORE: A longer race for more experienced participants
2. RAW: A shorter event for beginners and those new to map reading
3. MAGELLAN EXPLORE: An event for beginners with GPS navigation
Don’t worry if you miss this race – Mountain Design Adventure Races take place in most states, so check out www.adventureraceaustralia.com.au and www.magellangps.com.au for further details.
28 July: National Tree Day
This year Planet Ark and Toyota Australia (sponsor of National Tree Day) are working towards planting the 20-millionth seedling since National Tree Day began in 1996. There is also a Schools Tree Day on 26 July. The scale of National Tree Day is impressive – each year over 200,000 people participate in the event at 3000 locations around Australia.
How can you get involved? Site coordinators can select a public site such as a school, workplace, park, sporting field, nature reserve or Scout/Guide hall. This year, individuals can also organise a personal activity and invite friends and family to help work on smaller areas such as backyards or balconies, or even a nature strip. Or you can simply register to join a local group. Visit Planet Ark’s National Tree Day website for more info on how to set up a group or join a group in your local area. www.treeday.planetark.org
