Top activities for the school holidays

Ron Daniel with his Jonathan Glory AarDee at last year's orchid show. 144459 Picture: ROB CAREW


Dandenong District Orchid Club Show

Discover different varieties of orchids and have the chance to buy flowering plants and orchid-related products.

  • Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18-34 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September, 9am to 5pm. Entry is $4 for adults, $2 concession and free for children aged under 16 years.


Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival

This two-week Under the Sea themed celebration for the young and young at heart will run throughout the school holidays. There’ll be live performances, sea-themed workshops, shows at the Drum Theatre, daily movie screenings in Harmony Square and more. Headline event Little Day Out – For Big Imaginations will be held at Ross Reserve, Noble Park, from 11am to 4pm, on Sunday 25 September.

  • Now through to Sunday 2 October. Visit www.greaterdandenong.com/childrensfestival for a full events listing.


Chilean Latin American Festival

Performers will showcase traditional dances and folk music and there’ll be cuisine from across South America. There’ll be carnival rides and games, a kite workshop, an animal farm and more.

  • Sandown Racecourse, Princes Highway, Springvale. Saturday 24 September, 10am to 1am, and Sunday 25 September, 10am to 10pm. Entry is $15 for adults, $10 for pensioners and free for children aged under five years.


Two exhibitions, one venue

Local artist Yolanda Matlakowski presents a series of recent print works. Her work is fantastical with dark undertones.
Ron Rado established his highly-successful road construction and maintenance business, Standard Roads, and in his later years developed a passion for the visual arts. This annual art prize features works by students from Chisholm Institute.

  • Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Until Saturday 1 October. Weekdays 11am to 5pm, Saturdays 11am to 3pm.


Festival of Lights

This event celebrates Chinese culture through 32 silk lanterns, some 20-metres wide and eight metres high. Windmills, dinosaurs, flowers, insects, animals and more will feature. There will also be roving performers and a dumpling bar.

  • Greaves Reserve, Bennet Street, Dandenong. Until 9 October, 6pm to 10pm daily. Tickets are $12 for children, $18 concession, $20 for adults and $60 for a family of two adults and two children. Bookings are essential. Visit lightfestival.com.au

 
Another South Seas Roller Derby clash is on this weekend. Picture: RICHARD ANNABLE

Roller Derby Coconut Rumble

The South Sea Sirens are gearing up to face Tasmania’s Convict City Rollers in the hottest roller derby bout this side of Tahiti.
As a special warm-up act, South Sea Roller Derby and East Vic Roller Derby’s junior superstars will be facing off in the Pirates versus Ninjas battle.

  • Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough. Saturday 24 September, 5pm for a 5.30pm start. Tickets are available at the door and are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Kids aged under five years old enter free.