It's just so frustrating when different levels of government are unable or unwilling to work together for the good of us poor people living on the bottom of the food chain.
So when the Education Queensland decided that the autumn school holidays would this year be moved from Easter it would be too much to expect that those setting tertiary holidays would follow suit.
Education Minister Rod Welford described this year's Easter on March 23 as a "very rare and unusual occurrence" which would not occur again until 2160.
“As part of the State Government’s undertaking to set school terms of similar length, this year the first term holidays will commence two weeks after the long weekend,” he explained.
Fair enough, if only the universities followed suit.
QUT and UQ, despite being only four weeks into first semester, are taking their mid semester break this week and it is even worse at Griffith which after only three weeks four days in a 13-week semester is taking a break.
So? So, the juggle for all those families where a parent works or studies at a tertiary institution and there are school-aged children got that bit harder.
We get a break now and in two weeks we have to find some other care arrangements for our kids.
It could all have been so easily avoided if only different levels of government would work together.
Is that really too much to ask?
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
CSI Ipswich - murder investigation for children
Sometimes entertaining the kids can be murder but this is taking things one giant leap further.
Ipswich Art Gallery has given over two entire exhibition spaces to Whodunit an exhibition that invites families with children aged 8 and over to find out how security guard Arthur Locke came to be lying dead in the rhino enclosure of Menagerie Park.
Not since Miss Scarlett killed Mr Black with the lead piping in the ballroom have children been as actively involved in solving a gruesome crime.
But while the Cluedo board offered only dice, plastic markers and small fake weapons, this exhibition goes way, way further.
Families will find themselves examining poo samples, studying DNA and matching fingerprints, fibre samples and tyre prints.
They can roll out the body on a tray in the morgue just like in the TV shows and question the forensic pathologist.
Best of all, by comparing the size of maggots and analysing the core body temperature the time of death can be accurately calculated.
Yep, this is not your average children's exhibition and that's what makes it so much fun.
"This is really interesting. I want to be a detective when I grow up - Mr Oliver aged 10"
It sounds macabre but really it's analytical rather than despicable.
It is very questionable whether this exhibition is rightly housed in an art gallery but there is no question that it is a creative and imaginative activity for kids.
And it's not even as though the organisers are making a killing out of this - the exhibition at the Ipswich Art Gallery until May 5 is free.
Ipswich art gallery
March 26 - things to do this week
A free community and family event!
Featuring: Local Musicians, Market Sta, Circus Workshops, Food Stalls, Mystics Tent, Skate Lessons and Demos, Face Painting, Roller Derby Demo, Jumping Castle, and heaps more!
Live performances from: Screamfeeder, Ranger, Texas Tea, Little Vegas and the Fuzz Parade and emerging acts Meaningless Existence, The Grove and Sunflower.
The inaugural Paddington Fair, a drug and alcohol free community event will include music, markets, and a host of activities for kids and the whole family will transform the area into a vibrant celebration of the local community.
Born out of the Brisbane City Councils ‘LOCALe Music For Ya Park’ events, which have drawn thousands of families to local parks and facilities over the last two years and will include two stages, markets, skate lessons and demos, a mystics tent, temporary tattoos, face painting, jumping castles, heaps of other surprises to keep the entire family entertained. Ithaca Pool will be opening their doors with FREE entry from noon.
Free Sunday at the Gallery at the Queensland Art Gallery
Create a collaborative soft sculpture with Claire Robertson.
Children and their families work with local and exhibiting contemporary artists in the Sunday at the Gallery program. Each workshop involves a making activity connecting to the ideas and processes of the artist’s own work.
Free Tours for kids at the Queensland Art Gallery
Specially designed, interactive tours of works in the
Last movie in the park for the season Hairspray (Rated PG 117mins) Friday, 28 March
7pm Boyd Park, Cnr Boyd and Park Roads, Nundah
Shakespeare in the Park - Romeo and
Penned over 400 years ago, Shakespeare's tale of two star-cross'd lovers is as popular today as it was with
The classic tale follows Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet; young lovers caught up in a bitter feud between two great Italian families.
The sparks of their innocent love set the vibrant city of
"My only love sprung from my only hate; too early unknown and known too late."
This is Shakespeare at his undeniable best. - Love, lust ... plots, potions ... twists and tragedy. $11 School Group >20
$25 Adult, $10 Child (up to 12 years, under 3 free)
$16Student (secondary and university) $65 Family (up to 2 adults and 3 children)
Free multicultural Festival in Caboolture from 9am-4pm in Caboolture Town Square
A celebration of the cultural diversity of the Caboolture district with stunning cultural performances, creative workshops, arts and craft stalls and delicious multicultural cuisine. Tantalise the senses
Samford Rodeo at Samford Showgrounds on Saturday from 6pm to midnight
Bull rides, Barback horses and broncos, kids entertainment, comedy clowns, food and drinks, music.
Family - $40, Adults - $18, Children & Pensioners - $12
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