6 minute read
Return of the Analogue Kids
Return of the
If you’re keen to get your children away from screens while they’re on holiday, the BunGeo region has plenty to keep them occupied.
By KAREN CIVELLO.
ENTERTAINMENT-R-US
There's no need to rely on iPads to keep your kids happy on holiday in the BunGeo. Head to places like the Dolphin Discovery Centre and they'll be fascinated for hours. D id you know the average Australian teen spends over seven hours a day using screen media?
While it’s important to introduce our children to these new technologies, it’s crucial too to ensure they don't become overly dependent on devices. It’s well-documented that exposure to excessive screen time is associated with all sorts of negative side effects - not least kids becoming less able to entertain themselves.
Research shows that encouraging kids to get off their devices can help reduce stress and anxiety. Managing screen time is important for their physical health, and can help kids develop into competent and resilient individuals. Whether you’re planning a weekend of fun things to do or have some ideas up your sleeve for the school holidays here are some activities in the BunGeo region that doesn't involve screentime.
Bunbury Museum Heritage Centre
The museum is located in the former Bunbury State School Building, which opened in 1886. There’s a vast collection of childfriendly exhibits, objects, interactive displays and images. Information and ideas are presented in an interactive and engaging way. Designed to encourage intergenerational learning, children, parents and grandparents can learn about science, art, history and culture without even trying. Visitors can step into a dedicated classroom which features an old school desk, typewriter, chalk slate, and encyclopedias. The museum features a painting donated to the museum, by international artist Mark Sofilas, depicting his grandfather, Emmanuel Sofilas, a local Greek fisherman once known in Bunbury as ‘the human fish’ for his diving abilities. Running until September 2021 the ‘When We Were Small’ exhibition is a celebration of early childhood in Bunbury. The exhibit explores the ways our childhoods have developed over the years, and showcases christening gowns, baby photos, baby bottles, vintage clothes and toys. Visitors are encouraged to share their favourite childhood memories on the comments board, and discover all the artefacts in the museum’s ‘spotto’ sheets.
Dolphin Discovery Centre
Whet your child’s appetite for all things aquatic with a visit to the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury. Children can get up close
STEP BACK IN TIME Below, revisit the past at the beautifully curated Bunbury Museum Heritage Centre and the Collie Coalfields Museum with authentic exhibits from yesteryear. Bottom right, Gravity ETC. will expend some energy on rainy days.
and personal to nature and marine life. Kids will love the fish-themed coral aquariums and an impressive 360-degree Digital Dolphinarium at the Interpretive Centre. Learn about the history of Koombana Bay and its environment with interactive marine displays, activities, feeding programs and tours, all designed to create memorable experiences. A must-do activity is the Interactive Zone giving kids (and adults) the opportunity to interact with dolphins. Don’t fancy getting your feet wet? Then why not jump on board the centre’s 90min Dolphin Eco Cruise. It's the perfect way to introduce your kids to dolphins frolicking in the bay from the safety of a boat. A bucket list activity, it offers a unique chance to to swim with the dolphins in their natural environment. Expert guides accompany you on this award-winning experience guaranteed to thrill your junior marine biologist. And if you’re still looking for adventure, right next door is the Koombana Bay Playground complete with climbing towers, water activities and a zip-line. Wander along the foreshore and footbridge (designed to resemblance a ship’s hull) and learn about the countless shipwrecks that met with misfortune in Koombana Bay It's a hard-to-beat day out.
Gravity ETC
Get your kids moving, bouncing, tumbling, balancing, flipping and flying their way around 2,000sqm of high energy activity zones. Gravity Etc. located in Dalyellup is a purposebuilt centre complete with a whopping collection of trampolines, seven activity zones, café, parent’s retreat and soft play area for children under three years. The venue is a locally-owned, disability and special needsfriendly centre, providing fun, health and mindfulness for youth, families and community groups. With hourly jumps, learn-to-flip classes, fitness classes and more, the dynamic space is a drug- and alcohol-free environment that encourages activity, networking, new friendships and socialsing. This world-class venue stands by the ‘Choose Respect’ code of behaviour. Designed for kids to have so much fun they won’t even realise they’re exercising - what's not to love?
Collie Coalfields Museum
The Collie Coalfields Museum is housed in the historic Road Board office buildings and provides a unique glimpse into Collie’s rich industrial history. Exhibits include an impressively extensive rock and mineral display, military memorabilia, historical photos, vintage bottles, miner’s equipment, gramophones, radiograms, a Coolgardie safe and even an old baker’s cart. The most fascinating relic on display is an old restored Italian barrel organ which was used to entertain customers who frequented Fontana’s Wine Saloon located next to the Federal Hotel. There’s also a huge, rare public letterbox which was cast way back in 1903 in the J & E Ledger Foundry. The staff are extremely passionate and pride themselves on creating a warm, welcoming space, unlike more sterile museums.
STOP PRESS: NEW CENTRE OPENS
The Donnybrook Goods Shed Interpretive Centre and Station Square opened in late June. The historical, railway and heritage stories are revealed in the Interpretive Centre, which dates back to 1842, when Irish settlers George Nash and James Bissonnet, together with four servants, took up an allotment in Irishtown as we know it today.
The town’s heritage and history are showcased on a series of information panels adorning the walls of the Shed, in addition to various interactive digital media and several historical society artefacts that will be on display, albeit rotated from time to time with other history memorabilia held by the Historical Society.
For more information and inspiration, visit visitbunburygeographe.com.au
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