Special events have been organised around the State for this year's Family Week

9/5/00
The focus will be on families at the more than 90 special events that have been organised around the State for this year's Family Week (WA) starting on Monday, May 15.
Family and Children's Services Minister June van de Klashorst said the events were an ideal chance for families to stop, give some time to each other and consider what our family really means to us all.
"The events range from discos, story telling, kite flying and bubble blowing to a babies day out and even a session looking at extended families," the Minister said.
"Family Week is a time for the whole family to recognise the strengths each person brings to the home and to value each other's individuality.
"The week highlights the importance of the family unit and helps build and develop loving family relationships."
Ms van de Klashorst said Family Week (WA) was also a time to initiate debate and discussion around the many challenges and issues facing families today.
"The activities and information available as part of Family Week are the perfect opportunity to meet the challenges of raising families within the community," she said.
"Parents enjoy meeting other parents and organising activities gives the perfect opportunity for an invitation to our extended families and neighbours.
"In this year's Family Week (WA) a lucky family will win a trip to the tropical paradise of Broome."
For a chance to win the trip to Broome flying Ansett Australia and staying at the Seashells Resort, visit the Family Week (WA) website at http://www.fcs.wa.gov.au for details.
Family Week (WA) highlights in the country include:
Albany
Family fun time, Tuesday 16 May, 9.30am-noon
Albany family house, North Road, Tel 9841 0777
Open morning at the Family House. Free activities, kite making, play-dough, making juggling balls, bubble blowing and more.
Broome
Children's activities, Monday 15 - Friday 19 May, 11am-noon
Parenting information centre, Paspaley Pearls shopping centre, Tel 9193 786
A different activity every day. Music day with local musicians, fathers' day with two Family and Children's Services male staff members, story telling, guest speaker and activities, Grandparents' day.
Poster competition display, Monday 15 - Friday 19 May
Broome Boulevard, Frederick Street, Tel 9192 1317
A colourful poster display drawn by school children capturing what family means in the Kimberley.
Babies day out, Wednesday 17 May
The Resource Centre, Corner of Dickson Drive and Pembroke Road
Tel 9192 1317
Circle House and Family and Children's Services get together for a special day out for the under fives. Face painting, cake decorating and other children's activities.
Burringurrah
Family picnic day, Saturday 20 May, 10am-3pm
Burringurrah Aboriginal Community, upper Gascoyne, Tel 9941 1244
Barbecue lunch, running races, novelty races, lucky dips, apple bobbing
Bunbury
Workshop - 'Those difficult questions children love to ask'. Tuesday 16 May, 9.30-11am
Hudson Road family centre, 95 Hudson Road, Tel 9721 5000
A workshop about normal sexual development facilitated by Family and Children's Services officers. Offers a light hearted look at normal child development and sexuality. For carers of children aged up to 12 years.
Workshop - 'Those difficult questions children love to ask'.
Friday 19 May, 9.30am-11am.
Eaton family centre, Charter House Street, Tel 9721 5000
A workshop about normal sexual development facilitated by Family and Children's Services officers. Offers a light hearted look at normal child development and sexuality. For carers of children aged up to 12 years.
Dongara
Family day, Saturday 20 May, 10am-2pm
Town park, Moreton Terrace, Tel 9927 2068
Barbecue, bouncy castle, rides, games, prizes and more.
Esperance
Family fun morningSaturday 20 May, 9am-noon
Esperance community library, Windich Street, Tel 9071 2566
Story reading, face painting, music, singing, games, puzzles, family photos and family history groups. Fresh fruit and drinks available throughout the morning.
Geraldton
Family fun in the park, Saturday 20 May, 11am-2pm
Spalding park, North West Coastal Highway (near Chapman Bridge)
Tel 9921 0768
Free sausage sizzle, children's games, tractor and hay rides, reptile display, bouncy castle, face painting, balloons and more.
Family day, Sunday 21 May, 11am-2pm
Glendinning park, Glendinning Road, Tel 9921 7155
Barbecue lunch, live music, bouncy castle, kite flying, rides and more.
Kalgoorlie
Open day, Wednesday 17 May, 9am-5pm
Parenting information centre, St Barbara Square, Tel 9022 0700
Free balloons, activities and information about parenting. Come along and see what is inside your local parenting information centre.
Open day, Tuesday 16 May, 10am-noon
East Kalgoorlie Primary School, Mafeking Street, Tel 9022 0700
Come along and see how Best Start can help you give your children the best start in life. Participate in making a Family Week banner to be used throughout the week.
Kalgoorlie/Boulder
Family fair and fun day, Sunday 21 May, 9am-2pm
Boulder park, Burt Street, Tel 9022 0700
Free activities including face painting, family photos, sausage sizzle, cultural dances, bouncy castle and balloons.
Karratha
Children's activities, Saturday 20 May
Karratha shopping centre, Tel: 9185 0200
A barbecue and various community group displays along with a parenting information centre display at the shops, badge making and balloons.
Kununurra
Kununurra family fun day, Tuesday 16 May
Mirima/Warringarri area, Tel 9168 3322
A fun day for all the family with a sausage sizzle and other activities. Also an opportunity to chat with staff from other department funded organisations.
Laverton
Family Day barbecue, Wednesday 17 May, from noon
Laverton Family and Children's Services office, Laver Place, Tel 9031 1104
Sausage sizzle and activities for families.
Leonora
Family day barbecue, Wednesday 17 May, from noon
Leonora Family and Children's Services office, Corner of Tower and Rajah Streets
Tel 9031 1104
Sausage sizzle and activities for families.
Mandurah
Family fun day - Building bridges between families, Saturday 20 May, 1pm-5pm
Mandurah performing arts centre, Ormsby Terrace, Tel 9535 6688
Fantastic range of interactive displays including Scitech, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre and the Perth Zoo. Sporting and community celebrities, information displays, entertainment and refreshments.
Manjimup
Story Telling, Tuesday 16 May
Manjimup Town Hall, 37-39 Rose Street, Tel 9771 1711
Accomplished story teller in costume delighting the children with wonderful tales. Part of the community services expo.
Teddy bear's picnic, Thursday 18 May, noon-3pm
Manjimup family centre, 45 Rose Street, Tel 9771 1711
Bring along your teddy bears for a wonderful day out with all the other teddies.
Meekatharra
Family fun day, Friday 19 May, 3pm-6pm
Meekatharra youth and social centre, Darlot Street, Tel 9981 1104
Family games, barbecue and family information.
Mullewa
Family playgroups picnic, Tuesday 16 May, 10am-2pm
Mullewa Waterfalls, follow the signs off the Carnarvon-Mullewa Road,
Tel 9961 1004
Visit to the waterfalls, barbecue, games and prizes for the children.
Narrogin
Parenting seminar - 'Understanding your teenager', Monday 8 May, 7-10pm
Senior citizen's centre, Fathom Street, Tel 9881 0123
An opportunity to discuss practical issues about understanding teenagers and principles for effective parenting.
Newman
Tree decorating, Monday 15 May
Local shopping centre, Tel: 9185 0200
Local schools, daycare centres and parents can add their decorations to the tree over the course of Family Week. Decorations will represent their family.
Picnic in the park, Sunday 21 May
Local park, Tel: 9185 0200
Activities and picnic for the whole family and community with the Police, local Shire and Newman neighbourhood centre providing some activities.
Northcliffe
Family picnic fun day, Sunday 21 May, 10am-2pm
Northcliffe recreational oval, Zamia Street, Tel 9771 1711
Sausage sizzle, novelty races, pony rides and more.
Onslow
Family day at the beach
Local beach at Onslow, Tel: 9185 0200
An activities filled day with sports, games, sandcastle building and more for the whole family.
Port Hedland
Family fun day
Port Hedland playgroup, Tel: 9185 0200
Activities for the whole family to come together and enjoy the day.
Roebourne
Movie night and barbecue, Thursday 18 May
Police and citizens youth club, Tel: 9185 0200
A family movie, barbecue and showbags for the whole family.
For further information about activities contact your nearest Family and Children's Services office listed in the White Pages or check out the Family Week (WA) website: http://www.fcs.wa.gov.au for all the details.
Media contact: Owen Cole 9481 7810.