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Mount Gambier Library & The Riddoch Arts & Cultural Centre join forces for jam packed school holiday program Time to register for new look Sheepvention conference

From a raft of NAIDOC Week events and activities to kite making, comic book art and two fun competitions, the Mount Gambier Library and The Riddoch Arts & Cultural Centre have put together a fortnight of school holiday fun for kids of all ages.

This week has seen film screenings, along with contemporary indigenous themed sand art and nature weaving with the NAIDOC Week theme of Heal Country running through this week’s activities, which also focus on plants, creating art from nature and a special healing yoga session.

Mount Gambier Library children’s services coordinator Kelly Lynch has worked closely with indigenous leaders to put together the respectful, educational and fun program, following on from the Reconciliation Week events recently held at the library.

The two competitions which are running throughout the school holidays are a colouring in competition for Under 8s and a book review opportunity for Over 8s with entry forms available at the library.

The second week of the program has a Winter Warmer theme with a range of craft activities including clay plate making, winter wreaths, snow globe making and some special yarn creations.

There will also be a STEAM Challenge involving designing and creating a sustainable home.

All sessions are free and you need to book your place at the Mount Gambier Library or The

Riddoch Arts & Cultural Centre. The full program is available at both locations and online.

The Outdoor Living Room is also set to return on the library verandah on July 17 and 17 from 11am to 2pm where young entrepreneurs can showcase their wares in a market style event, along with buskers also able to perform for a captive audience. You can book your place for a stall or performance time slot by contacting Teresa Nearmy at the library or through the facebook page.

The library also has a selection of games you can borrow these school holidays if you want to take your school holiday fun back home.

There are also some chess sessions over the fortnight break from the classroom with the view to establishing a chess club at the library. If you cannot make any of the chess sessions but would like to be involved in the club, contact the library for more details.

Thinking outside the box this year, the Hamilton P & A Society created a new Sheepvention event with sustainable elements in the current COVID environment. A major part of this year’s event is the Sheep Connect Conference. P & A Society business and events nanager, Peta Anderson said the committee had been overwhelmed with the support received from the sponsors and exhibitors.

“Our major corporate partner is Atlex Stockyards,” Ms Anderson said. “Atlex has been a part of Sheepvention from the beginning. They have decided this year they want to give back to Sheepvention and the Hamilton P & A given their long association. It is extremely generous.”

Conference delegates will be able to participate in a range of speaking sessions as well as keynote speakers. Jason Trompf will talk on reproductive efficiencies. Jason is the founder of Lambs Alive and a key developer and educator of the Lifetime Ewe and Bred well fed well programs.

Nathan Scott from Achieve Ag will be inspiring change. He has a passion for challenging his audience to turn their potential into action.

Covering the future markets in the sheep and wool industries is seasoned presenter Robert Hermann of Mercado.

If you’re interested in finance Kate Tierney from RSM will be talking finances; including off farm investing. Exciting new research will be presented from the University of Adelaide on lamb survival improvements.

Thomas Elder Consultant, Michael Wilkes will speak on nutrition and grazing. Michael’s goal is to work with producers to reach their specific production objectives whilst optimising productivity and profitability.

There are limited tickets available and registrations are just open, participants can choose up to five speakers to see plus the other keynotes and Q & A sessions.

“There is loads on offer from: animal health, finance and investing, supply chain and eating quality, improvements in reproduction and lots more,” Ms Anderson said.

“We are also very lucky to have a lot of support from our major industry partner, Meat and Livestock Australia - Along with Elanco Animal Health, AWEX, Reid’s Stockfeeds and Virbac who are all corporate partners.”

The P & A Society are extremely excited to be bringing such a great program to Hamilton.

A comprehensive list of speakers, the program and ticket registration can be found at www.hamiltonshowgrounds.com. au Tickets are $150 inc GST and include a full day of speakers, catering including networking drinks and nibbles at the conclusion of the day.

The conference will be held as part of Sheep Connect at the Hamilton Showgrounds on August 2.

More than 250 trade sites will be on offer on August 2 and 3 at Sheep Connect along with the Ram Sale on August 3.

There is no entry fee for Sheep Connect but several local not for profit groups will be ensuring all patrons sign in and keep safe so a gold coin donation is requested to these organisations.