PICAL term three program released

Community

Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre (PICAL) has launched its term three program, featuring initiatives for families, young people and adults alongside a range of ongoing community services.

Family

PICAL is establishing a nature play program for children aged 18 months to three years.

Puddle Adventurers will meet once a month for mud kitchen and sensory garden activities at PICAL while other weeks will include beach days, rock pool exploring and visits to local nature reserves.

Puddle Adventures is in its infancy with expressions of interests now open.

Youth

Empower Me Within for girls aged between eight and 12 continues.
The six-week program is designed to help girls build their confidence and emotional resilience.

Due to popular demand, a second class will take place in term three - 4pm to 5.30pm on Thursdays from August 13 to September 17: $240 fee.

New to the term is Chill 'n' Grill - a teen cooking program ideal for home-schooled and at-home teens.

Led by volunteer and local early childhood educator Jasmine Keogh, the four-week program will help teens learn cooking skills in a social environment.

Starting 1pm to 3pm, July 24: $40 fee.

Local youth are offered skill development AND mentoring through the QUALIFY program - a federally funded, Gippsland initiative, with support focused on employment readiness.

Adults

The community centre continues to help families in need through its Emergency Food Relief Pantry, where demand has grown by 20 per cent in the last 12 months.

Locals can also access assistance from Services Australia to connect with Centrelink, Medicare, Child Support and other government services at the centre's Warley Ave site.

From today, July 1, Centrelink hours will increase with the service open 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.

HER Network - a local women's connection and support network - focuses on bringing women together.

The network continues to meet at PICAL every Friday from 10am to 12 noon in term three.

A new Women's Cancer Support Group will bring together women with lived experience of cancer to share ideas, support and inspiration.

The group will meet at PICAL every Friday throughout term three from 10am to 11.30am.

PICAL volunteers and chefs Tony and Cindi return in term three with a new four-week course, Chinese Cooking.

Participants will learn authentic cooking techniques including chopping, stir-frying, steaming and seasoning.

The course begins on July 21, 10am to 2pm: $120 or $100 for PICAL members and concession or $80 for PICAL volunteers.

Digital Basics is a hands-on course designed to help locals build confidence using technology in everyday life.

One-on-one and group digital literacy support, the seven-week course helps people stay connected, safe and confident online.

Starting July 20 from 10am to 2pm: $35.

Details: pical.org.au or call into PICAL at 16 Warley Ave, Cowes, 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday.

PICAL's term three program is supported by Barry Plant Real Estate.