1 Social connection, physical activity and involvement in community and group activities are key determinants of both mental and physical health. Planned Activity Groups and community groups are ways that people within the community, particularly those with diverse needs, can be supported to maintain active involvement in the community and maintain social connections with others. These groups also play a vital role in developing the skills of people with diverse needs to assist with living at home. The aim of this guide is to provide support for Planned Activity Group and community group coordinators in Melbourne‘s west to plan and organise activities which are appropriate for participants with a diverse range of needs. HealthWest Partnership and ISIS Primary Care have developed this guide through consultation with a range of Planned Activity Group and community group coordinators across the West. This guide recognises that Planned Activity Groups and community groups often have small budgets for their activities. This guide aims to support group coordinators by show casing the interesting and innovative activity ideas that many individual group coordinators have developed, as well as providing other ideas for cost-effective outings and in-house activities. HealthWest Partnership and ISIS Primary Care hope that this guide can be a useful resource and support group coordinators to continue the great work that is already occurring across the Western suburbs. 1 This guide aims to support Planned Activity Group and community group coordinators in providing cost-effective and innovative activities that meet the diverse needs of people who attend planned activity and community groups. This guide is intended to be used as a starting point for planning activities and provides a select range of restaurants, venues, outings and activities which may be appropriate to Planned Activity Groups and community groups. The full variety of venues, outing and activities across the west and across Victoria is too large to include within this guide. Group coordinators are encouraged to build on the ideas list in this guide and investigate all of what the west and Victoria has to offer. To support this, the guide has been printed and displayed in a ring-binder which allows the guide to be tailored to individual needs. It should be noted that although ISIS Primary Care and HealthWest Partnership have taken all efforts to check the information provided in the guide, prices, services and facilities often change. Group coordinators are encouraged to contact the business listed in this guide prior to undertaking an activity to ensure that the needs of group attendees can be catered for. Key Disability accessible $10 or under per person (Group prices averaged over group size of 15) Accessible via public transport Parking available Over $10 per person (Group prices averaged over group size of 15) 2 Recommend an activity Do you have something to add to this guide? If you know of a venue or activity you would like to share with others we‘d like to hear about it! You can also use this form to provide feedback on your experience with an activity already in this guide. Please fill out and re- turn this form. Fax: Mail: Email: Health Promotion Health Promotion administration @healthwest.org.au Coordinator Coordinator ISIS Primary Care ISIS Primary Care 9360 7534 Hobsons Bay Campus Venue/ Activity Name: Address (if appropriate): Contact details: Description of the venue or activity (i.e. restaurant) and why you would like to recommend it to others: 3 Contents Outings & Excursions…………………………………………………….5 Museums 6 Galleries 9 Historical Sites 10 Cafes and Restaurants 13 Parks and Gardens 21 Other Places 24 Get to know regional Victoria 27 Over Night 31 In-house Activities………………………………………………………...33 Entertainment 34 Guest Speakers—Health/ Living 36 Guest Speakers—General/ Special Interest 40 Other Activities 42 Do-It-Yourself Activity Ideas 42 Tips for organising your activities……………..……………….……...45 Community Bus hire 46 Public Transport 47 Catering for your group– a few healthy suggestions 49 Libraries in the West 50 Events in the West 51 4 5 Museums Immigration Museum National Sports Museum (at the MCG) Located in the Old Customs House in the heart Located across two levels of the Olympic Stand, of the city, the museum re-creates the real-life visitors to the National Sports Museum can im- stories of coming to Australia with a rich mix of merse themselves in some of the finest sports- moving images, personal and community voices, related artifacts and interactive technology wit- memories and memorabilia. Cafe on site. Call ahead for group bookings. nessed anywhere in the world. Cost: Adults $8, free entry for concession, chil- There are numerous exhibition spaces covering dren and carers. Additional charges may apply a complete history of Australian sport. The mu- for temporary exhibitions. seum caters for all mobility requirements and Address: Old Customs House 400 Flinders St, includes ramps and escalator access. It is rec- Melbourne ommended to allow a minimum of 90 minutes to Contact: 13 11 02 fully experience the museum. www.museumvictoria.com.au/ immigrationmuseum The National Sports Museum also brings re- newed energy to the MCG‘s traditional role as the spiritual home of Australian sport, establish- ing a gateway to the stadium‘s renowned herit- age and facilities within a new, modern muse- Melbourne’s Living Museum of the West ums and entertainment precinct, is designed for use by the public, tourists and Melbourne Cricket Club members alike. A community museum which actively involves the people of Melbourne's west and others in documenting, preserving and interpreting the Guided tours available for groups, or they may richness and depth of the region's social industri- go through self guided. Enquire about combining al and environmental history. with a Tour of the MCG, with or without lunch provided. Group historic talks are available at the museum or museum staff available to come out to groups, Cost: Concession $11 admission per person starting from $50 for a half hour session. Book- (please enquire for tour prices) ings essential. Address: Jolimont St, East Melbourne Contact: 9657 8879 www.nsm.org.au Cost: Free Address: Within Pipemakers park, Van Ness Avenue, Maribyrnong Contact: 9318 3544 www.livingmuseum.org.au Other: See the ―Parks and Gardens‖ section within this guide for more information on Pipe- makers Park. 6 Melbourne Museum Scienceworks and Planetarium Melbourne Museum explores life in Victoria, from Located in Spotswood, the museum presents our natural environment to our culture and science and technology in unexpected and in- history. volving ways. Hands-on participation is positively encouraged and visitors can take part in live Please enquire through the bookings office to demonstrations, shows, guided tours and special make a reservation for bus parking. Disabled activities. There is also a program of changing parking spaces are available on level P2 of the exhibitions. Cafe on site. carpark. Call ahead for group bookings. Café on site. Cost: Adults $8, Concession and children entry Free. Extra for shows and temporary exhibitions. Cost: Adults $8, free entry for concession, chil- Address: 2 Booker St, Spotswood, Victoria, dren and carers. Day parking rates are a maxi- 3015. mum of $16. Contact: Address: 11 Nicholson St Carlton, Victoria, www.museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks 3053 For group bookings call 9392 4819 Contact: 13 11 02 Other: Accessible curb side parking available for www.museumvictoria.com.au/ buses on Booker St. Other off street parking melbournemuseum available with accessible spaces. Royal Historical Society of Victoria State Library of Victoria (Library) The State Library of Victoria has a range of activ- The RHSV is the most extensive single infor- ities every month, ranging from heritage tours of mation resource on the history of Melbourne and the iconic building, to book and art exhibitions, to Victoria. It holds one of the oldest and most ex- films and talks on a range of topics. Check web- tensive collections of historical manuscripts and site regularly for latest exhibitions. images in the State. Costs: Mostly Free Cost: $5.50 per person for introductory tours Address: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne (with morning/afternoon tea), $4 per person for Contact: 8664 7000 and www.slv.vic.gov.au temporary exhibitions Address: 239 A‘Beckett Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Contact: 9326 9288 www.historyvictoria.org.au [email protected] Other: Disability accessible for most parts, please enquire with venue to make appropriate arrangements. 7 Victoria Police Museum George Evans Museum The Victoria Police Museum is home to a darker Sunbury‘s George Evans Museum houses a side of Victorian history. With tales of colourful large collection of photographs dating from the criminals and the gallant work of police in risky time of white settlement in the area, and various situations, the museum offers a unique view into artifacts revealing the history of the area, includ- the execution of Victorian crimes and the after- ing the festivals for which Sunbury has become famous. math of disasters. Victoria Police Museum pre- sents visitors with an intriguing insight into the social history of policing in Victoria. Community groups are encouraged to enquire about the use of the temporary exhibition space Groups (10+ people) may book either a self- to mount an exhibition of interest. Open only dur- guided visit or a visit which includes an introduc- ing the opening hours of the library. tion to the collection and current exhibitions. Cafe onsite. Cost: Free Address: 36 Macedon Street, Sunbury (enter through Sunbury Library) Cost: Free Contact: 9740 5497 (Wednesdays only) Address: First Floor (Lower Concourse) World Trade Centre 637 Flinders Street Melbourne Contact: 9247 5304 or 9247 5214 Williamstown Historical Society Museum [email protected] www.police.vic.gov.au The collection highlights this historical seaport‘s maritime history, and also includes furniture, cos- tumes, sporting memorabilia, paintings, photo- Other: Bus access for visitor drop-off and collec- tion is via Siddley Street.