PRE SCHOOL HOLIDAY AND SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Here's a great idea to bring an extra big smile to a child's face this Christmas - send them a beautifully personalised Letter From Santa. Bright and colourful, Santa's letter details all the exciting preparations he is making for his visit to all the boys and girls on Christmas Eve and indicates that he has heard their wishes. It only takes a couple of minutes and for $4.40, including GST (overseas addresses cost AU$7.50), you can add a special touch to a child's Christmas. Simply click on the link below to order a letter and bring joy to a child this Christmas. www.letterfromsanta.com.au

PRE SCHOOL HOLIDAY AND SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

SYDNEY

Saturday 9

•Peter Rabbit This floppy-eared classic will be performed by A Movable Theatre (from the Botanic Gardens). All funds raised go to the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre, $5 donation pp (under 2 yrs free). 11am & 1pm. Cnr Collins and Norton Sts, Surry Hills ) 9356 3731

•Asian Food Fair Annual food fair with traditional dishes available to try,. Free entry (buy variety of meals). 10am-2pm. Sydney Hills Christian Church, Cnr Showground Rd & Kings Rd, Castle Hills ) 9651 4411

•Gruesome Tales on Goat Island 6.45pm. Tour departs every Saturday (to Oct 30) from Cadmans Cottage, 110 George St, The Rocks. $24.20. Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033

•Riverside Craft Fair 120 stalls of Australian crafts. 9am-3pm. Riverside Girls High School, Cnr Victoria & Huntleys Pt Rds, Hunters Hill

•Olympic Storytelling Brings five Olympic-themed stories to life for 3-8 year-olds. Free. 11.30am & 1.30pm (50 mins duration). Weekends throughout September. Ariel Attic, Suez Canal off 103 George St, The Rocks ) 9255 1788

•Spring Native Orchard Show The largest native orchid display in Sydney, with orchid experts available for advice. Free entry. 10am-5pm. Baulkham Hills Community Centre, Conie Ave ) 9651 4411

•Kellyville/Rouse Hill Country Carnival Old-fashioned carnival with horse shoe throwing, thong tossing, pie-eating competitions, lions train ride, dunking machine and more. Free entry. 10am-3pm. Village Green, Adelphi St, Rouse Hill ) 9651 4411 •Hemispheres A two-day celebration of world music, including the Afro Cuban All Stars and Angelique Kidjo, part of the Olympic Arts Festival. $60 per day or $110 for weekend. McKay Sports Oval, Centennial Park. Book through Ticketek ) 9266 4000

•A Day on the Farm Spend a day at Gledswood Homestead. (see School Holiday Programs) ) 9606 5111

Sunday 10

•Galston Country Music Festival Family day of country music and a country fair to raise funds for the Cancer Patients Assistance Society. The day kicks off with a Poet’s Breakfast at 9am followed by bush bands in the big tent, as well as camel and pony rides, car displays, show jumping and a Woodchop. A$12.50 C$6 under 5’s free. Fagan Park, Arcadia Rd, Galston ) 9653 2483

•Free Cooking Workshops Paris International Cooking School is hosting an open day with free cooking workshops (at 9am, 12n, 3pm, 6pm & 9pm). 9am-9pm. 216 Parramatta Rd, Stanmore ) 9518 1066

•Sunday Afternoons for Families Doctor Dada’s Adventures in Time Explore the virtual worlds of art with the amazing Doctor Dada. Free. 2.30pm. Meet at information desk, Art Gallery of NSW ) 9225 1744

•Wisemans Ferry Fair A family country carnival with stalls, food and entertainment. Free. 10am-4pm. Wisemans Ferry Township ) 9651 4411

Monday 11

•Holiday Kids Club (Sept 11-15) This week long holiday club is themed "Go For Gold" in the Olympic spirit, and will include craft, games and stories. For infants and primary school-aged kids. $3 per day (less for 2 or more siblings). Concord Baptist Church, Carrington St, Concord ) 9758 7229

•Olympia and the Golden Torch Pantomime (every day this week, see Theatre listings for details)

Tuesday 12

•Treasure Hunts on Mel-Mel (children’s program - 5 years and over). $13.20pp. 10.45am. Tour departs every Tuesday (to Oct 30) from Cadmans Cottage, 100 George St, The Rocks. Bkgs ess:) 9247 5033

•Deep Down Underground Discover all types of underground life, such as henry the worm and Marguerite the caterpillar. For 5-8 years. A$3.30 C$5.50 F$16.50. 10.30am-12n. Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, 420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives ) 9440 8552 . •Breakfast on the Fort (see Sat 2). Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033

Wednesday 13

•Water Rats Tour11.45am. Tours depart every Wednesday (to Oct 30) from Cadmans Cottage, 110 George St, The Rocks. A$19.80 C$15.40 F$61.60. Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033 •Gumnut Babies Kids’ bush activity with a story, bush walk and a chance to make your own gumnut baby. For 3-5 years. A$3.30 C$5.50 F$16.50. 10.30am-11.30am. Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, 420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives ) 9440 8552

•Olympic Torch Relay Festival Featuring Christine Anu, bush poets, Taja, Tenstone, community stalls and performances, children’s rides, children’s choir, international food fair and more. Free entry. 10am-4pm. Pennant Hills Park ) 9847 6873

•Endometriosis Support Group Endometrisis and acupuncture. 6.30pm. Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick ) 9382 6705

•The Missing Note A musical play for 3-8yrs. 11am and 1pm shows, Leichhardt Public School. A$2, C$6. ) 0402 128 537

Thursday 14

•Escape From Goat Island (children’s program). $13.20pp.10.45am. Tour departs every Thursday (to Oct 30) from Cadmans Cottage, 110 George St, The Rocks. Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033

•Gondwana Land Take a trip back in time to the land of the dinosaurs and megafauna when Australia was covered in rainforest. Take an adventure walk and an archaeological dig. For 8-12 years. A$3.30 C$5.50 F$16.50. 10.30am-12.30pm. Wildflower Garden, 420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives ) 9440 8552

•Kookaburra Laughs at Dawn An activity especially for children. Search the farm for birds’ eggs then swoop down to Seconds Ponds Creek to hunt native wildlife. Hear an Aboriginal legend of the kookaburra. A$13.20 Conc$6.60 F$27.50. 9-11am. Rouse Hill Estate, Guntawong Rd. Bkgs ess: ) 9518 6866

Friday 15

•Manly Olympic Torch Relay The torch will arrive in Manly at 12.50pm, where it will rest for several hours while SOCOG conducts a scintillating formal ceremony. The torch will run along the beach to the ‘celebration site’ then back on to the beach, down Victoria Ave to Manly Wharf, along West Esplanade and finally to Manly Oceanworld. Manly Visitors Centre: ) 9977 1088

•Baby Koala Nursery Opens today at the Koala Park, West Pennant Hills (see school holiday listings)

Saturday 16

•Free Bush Music Performance Bush band The Inland navigators perform old Australian favourites composed over the years by shearers, stockmen and convicts. 11.45am-3.15pm. Also live jazz from 4-7pm with Anita Thomas. The Rocks Square ) 9518 6866

•Gruesome Tales on Goat Island 6.45pm. Tour departs every Saturday (to Oct 30) from Cadmans Cottage, 110 George St, The Rocks. $24.20. Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033

•Manly Spring Equinox Fair Market Lane ) 9482 2741

Sunday 17

•The Dreaming The Guring-gai Aboriginal tribe lived in the Ku-ring-gai area. Join a bushwalk and find out about the food they ate, try face painting and make your own clapsticks. For 6-9 years. A$3.30 C$5.50 F$16.50. 2-3.30pm. Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, 420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives ) 9440 8552

•Sunday Afternoons for Families Shake a leg A dramatic dance and didgeridoo performance from Dreamtime to Raptime with Bwgcolman dancer Sean Choolburra. Free. 2.30pm. Meet at information desk, Art Gallery of NSW ) 9225 1744

•Jazz at The Pines Enjoy live jazz on the lawns of the Historic Roughley House (c.1856) with the Peoria Jazz Band. A$8.80 Conc$5.50 F$16.50. 12.30-4pm. The Pines Historic House and Tourist Info. Centre, 656B Old Northern Rd, Dural ) 9651 4411

•Leaping Loonies Acrobatic comedy troope performing for free. 12.30pm & 2pm (30 mins duration). The Rocks Square, Playfair St ) 9255 1788

Monday 18

•Free Blues Music Performance Richard Steele and Ewan Sommerville play their authentic delta blues from down South.11.45am-3.15pm. Also live jazz with Baby All The Time 4-7pm. The Rocks Square ) 9518 6866

Tuesday 19

•Stream Science Investigate the health and wildlife of streams and ponds with scientific equipment. For 9-13 years. A$3.30 C$5.50 F$16.50. 10.30am-12.30pm. Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, 420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives ) 9440 8552

•Free Dance Classes Dance North will conduct free creative movement classes that explore the themes of the dance show Get a Life Reggie Mite (see Thurs 21). Call for details: ) 9683 6166

Wednesday 20

•Water Rats Tour11.45am. Tours depart every Wednesday (to Oct 30) from Cadmans Cottage, 110 George St, The Rocks. A$19.80 C$15.40 F$61.60. Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033 •Mueller Mystery Walk Help find the suspects and clues to a bush murder mystery with a difference. Walk the Mueller Track as bush detectives on the case of ‘who murdered Swallowtail?’. For 7-10 years. A$3.30 C$5.50 F$16.50. 10.30am-12.30pm. Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, 420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives ) 9440 8552

•Free Dance Classes Dance North will conduct free creative movement classes that explore the themes of the dance show Get a Life Reggie Mite (see Thurs 21). Call for details: ) 9683 6166

•Free Latin Music Performance The Martinez Familia are Chilean guitarists, they’ll play a mixture of their own compositions and Chilean classics. 11.45am-3.15pm. The Rocks Square ) 9518 6866

Thursday 21

•Escape From Goat Island (children’s program). $13.20pp.10.45am. Tour departs every Thursday (to Oct 30) from Cadmans Cottage, 110 George St, The Rocks. Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033

•Get a Life Reggie Mite The tale of a young schoolyard bully who loves dancing. But no-one can know… $7. 10.30am & 12.30pm. Parramatta Riverside Theatre ) 9683 6166 •Breakfast on the Fort (see Sat 2). Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033

•Middle Head Forts Tour (see Sun 3). Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033

•One World Join Ranger Valerie for a story, a bush walk and a One World craft activity. Bring a children’s bucket. For 3-5 years. A$3.30 C$5.50 F$16.50. 10.30-11.30am. Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, 420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives ) 9440 8552

Friday 22

•Free Country Music Performance Singer-songwriters Kevin Bennett and James Gilliard perform their original songs from 11.45am-3.15pm. Also Country Soul music with Mark Lucas and the Bad Hats from 4-7pm. The Rocks Square ) 9518 6866

Saturday 23

•Free Jazz Music Performance David McLeod and Friends perform their swinging, hip and very cool jazz. 11.45am-3.15pm. Also more live jazz with Trevor Griffin’s Swinging Affair from 4-7pm. The Rocks Square ) 9518 6866

•Gruesome Tales on Goat Island 6.45pm. Tour departs every Saturday (to Oct 30) from Cadmans Cottage, 110 George St, The Rocks. $24.20. Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033

•Slava Grigoryan Australian guitarist Slava Grigoryan performs with the Australian Chamber Orchestra as part of the Olympic Arts Festival. $32-$58. 8.30pm. Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall. Book through Ticketek ) 9266 4800

Sunday 24

•Australians All Family Concert Starring Monica Trapaga, James Morrison, The Hooley Dooleys, SBS Youth Orchestra and many more, plus jumping castles and face painting for the kids. Noon to dusk, rain hail or shine. A$42.90 C$19.80 F$103.40. Rosehill Gardens, Cnr James Ruse Drive and Grand Ave, Rosehill. Book through Ticketek ) 9266 4800

•Sydney Observatory Open Day Experience the bean bag planetarium ($1), hear myths, legends and dreamtime stories — Hercules meets the Goori Goori bird. Free. 10am-5pm. Watson Rd, Observatory Hill ) 9217 0485

•Hills Craft Markets One of Sydney’s largest markets offering over 120 stalls with displays and sale of a variety of craft products. Free. 9am-3pm. Castle Hill Showground, Carrington Rd ) 9620 6118

•Slava Grigoryan Australian guitarist Slava Grigoryan performs with the Australian Chamber Orchestra as part of the Olympic Arts Festival. $32-$58. 2.30pm. Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall. Book through Ticketek ) 9266 4800

Monday 25

•Free Country Blues Music Performance Recently returned from New Orleans and Memphis, Wayne Jury and Alison Penney perform their country blues songs. 11.45am-3.15pm. Also more live jazz with Pat Powell and Friends from 4-7pm. The Rocks Square ) 9518 6866

•Discovering the Dinosaur Pine Take a trip back in time to the age of the dinosaurs, and see one of the world’s rarest trees. Look at plant fossils and search the garden for a hidden dinosaur. $6 per participant, F$20. 11am-12.30pm. Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens. Bells Line of Road, Mt Tomah )4567 2154

Tuesday 26

•Free Jazz Music Performance MO Award winner Kevin Hunt presents his very own fresh and inventive jazz piano style. 11.45am-3.15pm. Also more live jazz with Ian Date and Friends from 4-7pm. The Rocks Square ) 9518 6866

Wednesday 27

•Insect Investigations There are more insects on the planet than any other creature, so join a bug hunt to learn more about them. For 10-13 years. A$3.30 C$5.50 F$16.50. 2-3.30pm. Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, 420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives ) 9440 8552

•Water Rats Tour Tours depart every Wednesday (to Oct 30) from Cadmans Cottage, 110 George St, The Rocks. A$19.80 C$15.40 F$61.60. Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033

•The Missing Note A musical play for 3-8yrs. 11am and 1pm shows, Leichardt Public School. A$2, C$6. ) 0402 128 537

•Slip Slop Slapstick A special holiday show presented by Ace P. Freckle. 1.30pm. Bondi Pavilion Community Cultural Centre. Wairoa Public School, cnr Hastings Pde & Brighton Blvd, Bondi beach ) 9130 3325

Thursday 28

•Free Jazz Music Performance Robyne Dunn performs her original and sensual jazz. 11.45am-3.15pm. Also live blues with Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges from 4-7pm, and live Blues with Richard Steele and Ewan Sommerville form 6-7pm. The Rocks Square ) 9518 6866

•Escape From Goat Island (children’s program). $13.20pp.10.45am. Tour departs every Thursday (to Oct 30) from Cadmans Cottage, 110 George St, The Rocks. Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033

•Rainbow Bush Take a colourful hands-on bush experience. Discover the spring colours of the bush with a walk and rainbow craft. For 3-5 years. A$3.30 C$5.50 F$16.50. 10am-11am. Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, 420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives ) 9440 8552 •Breakfast on the Fort (see Sat 2). Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033

Friday 29

•Free Celtic Soul Music Performance The Blarney Boys have taken elements from rock, soul, blues and country and injected them with a Celtic flavour. 11.45am-3.15pm. Also live jazz with the Gary Daley Quartet from 4-7pm. The Rocks Square ) 9518 6866

Saturday 30

•Gruesome Tales on Goat Island 6.45pm. Tour departs every Saturday (to Oct 30) from Cadmans Cottage, 110 George St, The Rocks. $24.20. Bkgs ess: ) 9247 5033

•Bush Folk Dance Bush music and dancing, held on the last Saturday of every month. A$12 C$6. 7-10pm. Pennant Hills Community Centre, opp. Pennant Hills Station ) 9873 3138

•Model Railway Exhibition 2000 Over 80 exhibits, from N-scale through HO/OO to live steam (for the trainspotters). Live steam ride for the kids. A$9 C$5 F$23. 9am-6pm (also Sat & Sun, Oct 1 &2). Whitlam Leisure Centre, Memorial Ave, Liverpool ) 9567 1899

•Place of Shadows and Secrets Enjoy a sausage sizzle before braving the shadows on a lantern lit tour of the Rouse Hill Estate property. A$16.50 Conc$11 F$44. 7-9.30pm. Guntawong Rd, Rouse Hill. Bkgs ess: ) 9518 6866 •Goat Island Heritage Tour (see Fri 1)