Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October 2026 • Two weeks of spring warmth turned our Hub into a place of making, growing and gathering: from paper plate creations to chia seed greenhouses, and a joyful Sing & Sign session that had the whole room moving. Over ten days of school holidays, local families came together daily to play, create and connect.
We're incredibly grateful to the service providers who delivered so many of these sessions in-kind: Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services, Coast Kids Occupational Therapy, Patterns Speech Pathology and Karitane, through Communities for Children. Their expertise and passion make this possible for Taree families. And a special thank-you to our much-loved volunteer Elaine, whose craft sessions are always a holiday highlight!!
Week 1
Monday 28 September – Paper Plate Craft with Elaine
Much-loved volunteer Elaine kicked off the holidays with a morning of paper plate craft. Families transformed paper plates into colourful creations, proof that sometimes the best fun comes from the simplest supplies.
Tuesday 29 September – Nature Suncatchers with Victoria
Victoria led families in creating nature suncatchers, gathering leaves, petals, and bits of the outdoors to make beautiful window decorations. Children explored colour and texture while bringing a little of the garden inside.
Wednesday 30 September – Create & Play Doctors with Jarred
Jarred from Coast Kids Occupational Therapy delivered another of his signature energy-filled sessions, this time with a doctor's surgery twist. Children explored imaginative play through movement, role-play, and plenty of laughter.
Thursday 1 October – Chia Seed Greenhouses with Alicia
Alicia guided families in building their very own chia seed greenhouses. Little hands planted, watered, and wondered and children took home living projects to watch sprout and grow in the weeks ahead.
Friday 2 October – Hub Closed for a Rest Day
Week 2
Monday 5 October – Hub Closed for Public Holiday
Tuesday 6 October – Pot Plant Decorating & Flower Press Bags with Hanna
Hanna from Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services returned to host a garden-themed craft morning. Families decorated their own pot plants and created beautiful flower press bags, celebrating spring blooms and creativity together.
Wednesday 7 October – Sing & Sign with Keri & Nycolle
Keri and Nycolle from Karitane led a heart-warming Sing & Sign session. Through songs, movement, and Auslan signs, families discovered new ways to communicate and bond, proving that connection doesn't always need words.
Thursday 8 October – Stick Man Adventures with Laura
Laura from Patterns Speech Pathology took children on a Stick Man adventure, bringing the beloved Julia Donaldson story to life through play and imagination. There was a lot of ‘Stick Man OH STICK MAN’ as they made their own stick boys and stick girls.
Friday 9 October – Hub Closed for a Rest Day
There's something inspiring about a spring holiday program: you plant things, you watch them grow, and the same could be said of the families who walk through our doors. A chia greenhouse on a windowsill, a new sign learned between parent and child, a stick transformed into a friend - little things that keep growing once the holidays end.
That's the heart of what we do. No referrals, no fees, no barriers, just a door that's open, and a community that keeps showing up for each other. See you next holidays.
Media Enquiries:
Clare Brennan, Hub CEO
clare.brennan@firststepscount.org
Links:
Follow First Steps Count on Facebook to get updates on School Holiday programs as they become available
