pinarc parent support update

local parent/carer groups & activities

• Ballarat Parent Carers Connect This group is open to all parent/guardian carers of children and young adults with disabilities.  We meet for activities, information sessions and social coffees or meals.  Next meeting is 30 am Wednesday 10^th September for a coffee and a tour of “Flip Out Ballarat”,  25 Learmonth Rd, Wendouree VIC 3355. They will show us around and tell us about their accessibility and sensory sessions.   Contact Rebecca on rpaton@pinarc.org.au or 0493 765 542
• Ararat Parent Carer Connect Ararat region Parent/Guardian Carers of children and young adults (0-21yrs) with disabilities and additional needs are invited to join a new group with a focus on information sharing and social connection for carers. Contact rpaton@pinarc.org.au  to register your interest. Meeting times TBA.
• Ballarat Autism Early Years Connect is a parent-led group supported by the Pinarc Parent Support Program. This group is for parents/carers supporting young children (0 – 12 yrs) with autism.
  The next meeting is September 4^th at 10am at Eclectic Tastes. Contact Amy at ballaratautismey@gmail.com
• Ballarat Autism Parent Connection meets for coffee at the Robin Hood Hotel for social connection and information sharing. The next meeting for the Ballarat Autism Parent Connection Group Monday 15^th  September at 10.30am.  Group Flyer: https://www.pinarc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Autism-Parent-Group-2025.pdf
• Bacchus Marsh Disability Parent Connection meet for social dinners and information sessions monthly on Monday evenings during school terms. The next get together is a 6.30pm on Monday 27^th October at Darley Neighbourhood House. Contact rpaton@pinarc.org.au to register. Group Flyer: https://www.pinarc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bacchus-Marsh-Group-2025.pdf
• Ballarat Down Syndrome Parent Connection group meets regularly for social connection and information sharing. The next morning tea will be on Monday 8^th September at the Ballarat Special School FARM Café. Contact Wendy by email park@bigpond.com or Mob 0429109692 to RSVP or for more information.
• Daylesford Disability Parent Connection Group. The next meeting will be the Carers Week Dinner Tuesday 14^th October, 6.30pm at Daylesford Bowls Club.  Carers dinners subsidised $20 pp. Registration to rpaton@pinarc.org.au is essential as places are limited.  Group Flyer: https://www.pinarc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Daylesford-Disability-Parent-Group-2025.pdf
• SCODA – (Supporting Carers of Disabled Adults), is a Ballarat-based group who meet for lunch first Monday of each month. Contact Rose on 0459 216 992Would you like to start a new group? Our parent support coordinator can help. Please contact Rebecca Paton, on 0493765542 or at rpaton@pinarc.org.au.

research and feedback opportunities

CYDA: Disability Discrimination Act Focus Group Expression of Interest

The Australian Government is reviewing the Disability Discrimination Act to make it stronger and clearer.
The Focus Group will be held on: Wed 17 Sep 2025 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm,  Online
Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) is running a paid two-hour Focus Group for young people with disability (between 16 to 25 years of age) to share their thoughts on how the DDA can be improved.
The Disability Discrimination Act makes it against the law to discriminate against people with disability in workplaces, in schools and universities, and in public places. Disability discrimination is when someone treats you differently because you have a disability.
The law is over 30 years old, and the last big changes were made over 15 years ago. Many people with disability still face discrimination.
Further information and expression of interest details 

AMAZE research

A quick survey to help Amaze with its advocacy on the NDIS and health systems
We’re looking for about 10 minutes of your time to help inform us about your current experiences as NDIS participants or parents of participants. We know there have been lots of changes introduced since last October and want to capture our community’s experiences.
The survey is totally anonymous and its findings will be used in our policy and advocacy work, for example on the topic of the new support lists that are being introduced.
Here is the link to the survey: amaze.tfaforms.net/5125262

Calling all parents and carers – Raising Children Network needs your voice.

Help us support Australian families
Raising Children Network is looking for parents and carers to be part of our new Parent and Carer Panel. We want to gather a diverse group of people to help us create parenting information and resources that are useful and relevant to all types of Australian families, and always tuned in to contemporary parenting experiences.
If you join our Parent and Carer Panel, you’ll have the opportunity to shape our parenting information, resources and activities by sharing your views, feedback and experiences in surveys, focus groups and other consultations. We’ll also keep you up to date on new content and resources developed by the Raising Children Network team.
In most cases, you’ll be compensated for your involvement in consultation opportunities, often in the form of a gift voucher. The compensation will be made clear as part of each consultation opportunity.
Interested?  To become a Parent and Carer Panel member, you must live in Australia and be a primary carer of at least one child. To express your interest in joining the Raising Children Network Parent and Carer Panel, fill out this form. We’ll notify successful applicants via email.

Parenting Today National Survey

Parenting Research Centre want to hear directly from families about their experiences, to help build better services for families.
The national survey will build a stronger evidence base to guide:

• Family support services
• Mental health and wellbeing strategies
• Education and early learning policy
• Parenting programs and funding decisions
• Community-level planning and advocacy

The survey is anonymous and confidential, and it is important that families raising children with disability are heard.  https://www.parentingrc.org.au/tools/parenting-today/

City of Ballarat Consultations

Your chance to have a say in City of Ballarat projects. Stay up to date and have your say on these and other projects at https://mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/

September School Holiday Programs

School Holiday Programs and Activities (Mainstream)
Mainstream OSHC School Holiday Programs

For children 12 or under, they can also access mainstream holiday programs and they can apply to have extra supports in place (for no additional cost).  Child Care benefit will cover most of the cost – NDIS may cover the gap.
Local Mainstream Providers:

Camp Australia School Holiday Programs “Rocketeers”
https://www.campaustralia.com.au/holidayclubs

YMCA School holiday programs
https://yballarat.org.au/oshc/vacation-care-programs/

Disability Specific OSCH Holiday Program

Their Care Ballarat Specialist School
https://theircare.com.au/holiday-programs/ballarat-specialist-school-theircare/

Here to Connect Holiday Program (for children who are deaf or HOH)

Monday 22 Sept.  Free Kids Football Program. 11am – 12pm Desoza Park Buninyong.
Friday 26th Sept. Xtreme Bounce 10.30am – 12pm Cost $20
Monday 29^th Sept.  Free Kids Football Program. 11am – 12pm Desoza Park Buninyong.
Friday 3^rd Oct.  Ballarat Wildlife Park 11am – 2pm Adults $40. Children $20.
More information available here:  https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CL6odRytn/?mibextid=wwXIfr

ICAN Network – New Holiday Program – Minecraft Creative Server

This September, for three days, you can join our Minecraft Creative Server for autistic/neurodivergent mentees ages 7-22 in a safe, fun, and inclusive online world.
Dates: September 22, 23 & 24
Time: 10am – 12pm (AEST)
Price: $321
This is the only program we’ll be running during the September school holidays, so don’t miss the chance to get involved. Whether your child loves building, exploring, or just hanging out with others who share their passion for Minecraft, this is the perfect holiday activity.
Book here: https://icannetwork.tfaforms.net/5072107

Kelly Sports Easter Holiday Program 2025

Kinder – Grade 6
Sep-Oct Ballarat School Holiday Program (22nd Sep – 3rd Oct) *Not running Fri 26th (Public holiday)
8am – 5pm weekdays (kids can be dropped off/picked up anytime in between)
*EXCITING NEW LOCATION* Ballarat Netball Association – 115 Barkly St, Golden Point, 3350
NERF GAMES – Thur 25th Sep   Get ready to lock and load as kids will be working in teams to come out on top and all while having a tonne of fun shooting their friends with Nerf guns *Safety goggles are provided to every child and are compulsory when participating in Nerf games.
KELLY SPORTS GAMES – Fri 3rd Oct  Get ready for the Kelly Sports Games! Kids will take on epic challenges – solo and in teams – to collect awesome prizes, show off their skills, and battle for glory on their journey to become Kelly Sports Legends!
Cost: $65 per child per day ($300 for the full week)
For more information see https://www.kellysports.com.au/kelly_events/view/38592
or contact Dom Swinton  041 796 7621  ballarat@kellysports.com.au

Ballarat Aquatic and Leisure Centre

Our Spring School Holiday Program will run from 22 – 25 September 2025.
https://www.ballarataquaticcentre.com/visit/schoolholiday/
Bookings for swimming and gymnastics members will open at 9am on Monday 8 September 2025. Bookings for non-members will open at 9am on Monday 15 September 2025. Click below for our timetable.

https://www.ballarataquaticcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/school-holiday-program-brochure-september-2025.pdf

Ballarat Libraries School Holiday Activities
Ballarat Libraries are running a wide range of games sessions and craft activities for children and teens.  They also have fantastic sessions for adults.  See them all here:

https://libraries.ballarat.vic.gov.au/whats-on/whats-on-brochure
Bookings for School Holiday Program are open Book in via our Humanitix page: https://collections.humanitix.com/whats-on-at-ballarat-libraries?group=School+Holiday+Program

They also have online escape rooms available any time! https://libraries.ballarat.vic.gov.au/escape-rooms

Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum Spring School Holiday Program: Extreme Space!

20 September – 4 October 2025
Space is full of many extreme places! Let’s learn about them. AstroKids Session will involve learning about the volcanoes and extreme storms in the solar system. Come along to the Evening Sessions to experience a guided tour of the observatory, the astroTour movie: “Extreme Places” and view the night sky with a telescope. If cloudy telescope viewing will be replaced by a virtual night sky tour Tickets will become available during the 2025 Winter School Holidays.
For more information email Kirralee at education@ballaratobservatory.org.au

Ballarat Mountain Bike Coaching Creswick Spring school holiday program

Between September 22nd to October 5th
Times:  9:30 AM – 12:30 PM , 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Hammon Park pump track Creswick
We are passionate about mountain biking and wanted to share that passion with others. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the fun of riding on mountain trails.
Join our MTB School Holiday Coaching Program and level up your riding with an AusCycling Accredited and Gsmbc (Global syndicate mountain bike coaching) level 1 coach
Please check booking page for skill class times as we are alternating between beginner and Intermediate Session in the morning and afternoon
Cost: $80 per session
8 available spots per a sessions – book now! https://ballaratmtbcoaching.com.au/school-holiday-programs

 The Art Club Hub School holiday sessions

Our SUPER CUTE PET ADOPTION sessions are BACK this school holidays!   Perfect for our Primary Junior artists… visit us to adopt your new cat, dog or exotic animal. Decorate their pet carrier and accessories. This is such a fun session and you can take your new furry friend home for hours of play!
https://www.theartclubhub.com/holiday-workshops

Basketball Ballarat Power FM Holiday Camps

Held every school holiday, Power FM Holiday Camps are the perfect opportunity for kids aged 4–14 of all genders and skill levels to develop their game in a fun and supportive environment. Whether you’re picking up a basketball for the first time or looking to refine your skills, our camps cater to everyone, from beginners to future stars! Find out more here: https://www.ballaratbasketball.com/holiday-camp/

Futsal Ballarat School Holiday Clinics!

Expert coaches, safe, welcoming indoor venue, fun mix of skills + games for all levels
Dates: 23rd | 24th | 25th |30th September / 1st | 2nd October
Location: Woodman’s Hill Rec Centre
Open to: 6 – 12 year olds
Spots are limited – don’t miss out!
Register now: https://www.futsalballarat.com.au/events/register/308935

Visit Ballarat Events Guide

https://www.visitballarat.com.au/stories/september-school-holiday-adventures-in-ballarat