Community News

Western Bulldogs School Holiday Program – Registrations Open!

Looking for a fun and active way to keep the kids moving these school holidays? The Western Bulldogs School Holiday Program is packed with exciting games, footy skill sessions, and teamwork activities designed to help kids build confidence, make new friends, and enjoy the game.

Open to boys and girls aged 4–12, the program welcomes all abilities and experience levels - whether your child is new to footy or already loves the game.

Location: Mission Whitten Oval, Footscray

Dates: Friday 10 & 17 April, 9am-3pm

Give your child a memorable school holiday experience with the Bulldogs!

Do you have a strong passion for solving problems and coming up with new ideas? Do you like to think outside the box and be creative? Do you want to challenge yourself?

The Swinburne Innovation in Action school holiday program isa 1-day program based at our Hawthorn campus where Year 10 - 12 students are given the knowledge and tools they need to come up with brilliant new ideas to solve real-world problems.

In this free program, you will:

Visit the Hawthorn Campus of Swinburne University of Technology and identify a problem you’d like to solve, framed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Work together with your peers to build a prototype solution for your chosen problem
Level up your learning through hands-on, interactive workshops that focus on teamwork, design thinking, problem solving and communication
Have fun!

Come by yourself, OR bring your mates! We need everyone to sign up individually, so just share the link with anyone you’d like to bring along.

Paul Sadler Swimland - Swimming lessons are anecessity, not a luxury

Footscray Hockey - Free Come and Try Sessions for U12, U14, U16 Boys & Girls

ADF - Defence Work Experience Programs - Victoria - Army applications now open

Army Familiarisation Program: Puckapunyal Military Area

Puckapunyal VIC / Monday 1 – Thursday 4 June

This work experience program will run over 4 days and will introduce students to career opportunities with various Army Units including Artillery, Armour and Transport.
This is an overnight program with meals and on base accommodation provided at no cost to successful applicants.
Online applications close 19 Apr 2026
For more information and to apply, follow the link Defence Careers - Army Familiarisation: Puckapunyal (June)

STEM To The Rescue: Wantirna (June)

Wantirna South VIC / Monday 22 – Friday 26 June

This 5 day program offers an immersive experience to tackle real-world STEM challenges. Students will have the opportunity to visit a range of Defence and industry facilities focused on STEM innovation.
Lunch is provided each day however students must make their own way to and from Wantirna South each day.
Online applications close 26 Apr 2026.
For more information and to apply, follow the link Defence Careers - STEM To The Rescue: Wantirna (June)

Day in the Life of a Medic/Nurse: Bandiana

Bandiana VIC / Tuesday 4 August

· A one day immersive experience into the lifestyle and career opportunities available within the Medical trades in Defence.

· Lunch will be provided however students must make their own way to and from the Albury Wodonga Military Area.

· Online applications close 7 June 2026

· For more information and to apply, follow the link Defence Careers - Day in the Life of a Medic/Nurse: Bandiana (August)

Army Trades Familiarisation (Engineering, Electrical and Health): Bandiana

Bandiana VIC / Wednesday 5 August

· A one day opportunity to interact with Army personnel and gain insight into opportunities available for Electrical, Mechanical and Medical trades within the Army.

· Lunch will be provided however students must make their own way to and from the Albury Wodonga Military Area.

· Online applications close 7 June 2026

· For more information and to apply, follow the link Defence Careers - Army Trades Familiarisation (Engineering, Electrical and Health): Bandiana (August)

Exercise First Look: Indigenous Youth Placement

Bandiana VIC / Monday 24 to Friday 28 August

· This program is specifically for young people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage aged 15-18 (Years 10-12).

· During this five‑day, four‑night residential program, students will experience an immersive introduction to Army life at the Army Logistics Training Centre in Bandiana.

· Army will book and pay for transport from the closest transport hub from the participant’s home location to attend the activity. Meals and accommodation during the program will also be included.

· Online applications close 12 July 2026.

For more information and to apply, follow the link Defence Careers - Jobs List - Defence Work Experience Program

Army Familiarisation: Puckapunyal Military Area

Puckapunyal VIC / Monday 12 – Thursday 15 October 2026

This work experience program will run over 4 days and will introduce students to career opportunities with various Army Units including Artillery, Armour and Transport.
This is an overnight program where meals and on base accommodation will be provided at no cost to successful applicants.
Online applications close 9 August 2026
For more information and to apply, follow the link Defence Careers - Army Familiarisation: Puckapunyal (October)

Free government funded Autism Workshop for families

Positive Partnerships are running a FREE government funded autism workshop for parents/carersin Yarraville on Wednesday 13th May, 2026.

This workshop is for parents, unpaid carers, grandparents and kinship carers to learn about autism and ways to strengthen the partnership between home and school. (Please note: your child does not need a formal diagnosis for you to attend).

Dates: Wednesday 13th May

Time: 9.15am-3pm

Location: Yarraville Club

135 Stephen St

Yarraville, Vic, 3013

The workshop will cover the following topics:

Diversity of autism
Understanding sensory processing
Working together.

Free morning tea and lunch will be provided.

For more information and to register, please visit https://www.positivepartnerships.com.au/workshop/?eventtemplate=55-1-day-parent-carer-workshop-vic&event=2346