Successful Hindmarsh Shire Council July School Holiday Program
Published on 29 July 2025
Hindmarsh Shire Council’s July 2025 School Holiday Program was a massive success, attracting approximately 500 participants across all events. According to all reports, young people from across the Shire had a fantastic time.
A popular session of Level-Up! Gaming with Beau was held at the Jeparit Memorial Hall, drawing in local gaming enthusiasts for some friendly competition and interactive gameplay. In Nhill and Rainbow, young people had the opportunity to craft their very own Kokedama under the expert guidance of Michelle from Desert Blooms in Dimboola.
Hindmarsh Shire Youth Councillor Matilda led a series of themed painting workshops in Jeparit, Dimboola, and Nhill. Each session reflected a theme unique to the local town. Jess and Ellen’s ‘Take on Science’ sessions were met with great enthusiasm in Rainbow, Jeparit, and Dimboola. Attendees launched paper gliders, engineered coin-holding bridges, and were captivated by the rainbow walking water experiment, watching with fascination as colours magically blended.
The badminton session in Rainbow was a standout for sports lovers. Held at the MECCA indoor court, it gave participants a chance to learn the basics of the game and enjoy some active fun. Although an unexpected audio equipment malfunction meant the screening of How to Train Your Dragon had to be cancelled, a swift repair by a technician ensured the screening of Elio went ahead as planned. An impressive 211 people attended, with plenty of popcorn to go around.
A true highlight of the program was the ‘Introduction to Pottery’ workshops with George from Dimboola Pottery. All three sessions were fully booked, as participants took to the pottery wheels to create a variety of unique ceramic pieces to be fired in the kiln. The visit from Tiny Goats and Co was a heart-warming experience, especially with the arrival of four baby goats - just three and five days old. Everyone enjoyed cuddling the baby kids, feeding alpacas and cows, and exploring the farm’s many hands-on activities. Finally, Janelle’s yoga session took an unexpected turn when students began teaching her some fabulous dance moves of their own. Alongside the dancing, Janelle also introduced calming breathing techniques, offering a blend of relaxation and energetic fun.
Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ron Ismay said, “Council would like to thank everyone who supported the Hindmarsh Shire Council school holiday program. We have received wonderful feedback from the community and the program will continue to grow from here. July school holidays had something for everyone, and Council officers are always looking for new ideas and groups in the community who can facilitate activities.”
The school holidays program was made possible through funding from the Victorian Government’s FReeZa and Engage programs. Thanks to the funding, Council can engage young people, giving them opportunities to participate and celebrate their local community.
For more information, please contact the Community Wellbeing Team on (03) 5391 4444 or email info@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.
Monica Revell
Chief Executive Officer