Kids now get into the zoo for free

Great news for Victorian kids and families! The Victorian Coalition Government has just announced that it’s giving children free entry to three outstanding zoos – Healesville Sanctuary, Werribee Zoo and Melbourne Zoo.

The $10.7 million initiative, expected to give free entry to 266,000 children, was welcomed by Paul Bird, Mission Australia’s State Director, who said it was important that the wonderful learning and discovery experiences at zoos were accessible to all Victorians.

“Mission Australia applauds the government for this initiative as it will enable more families to enjoy the many experience and wonders offered by Zoos Victoria,” Mr Bird said.

Mission Australia’s 2010 National Youth Survey found the number of Victorians taking part in arts and cultural activities had dropped significantly since 2008, highlighting the need to encourage activities that engage children and their families to build their relationships and life skills.
The initiative will grant children under 16 years of age free entry on Victorian public holidays and school holidays plus weekends from 1 July – which in time for the winter school break.

The Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Chris Ryan, said the subsidy would reduce the cost from $12.60 to zero and a family ticket would be reduced from $58 to $50.80.

Every year since 2008, Mission Australia Family Day at the Zoo, in partnership with Zoos Victoria and MetLink and V/Line, has given free entry and free public transport to Victorian children from across the state - including migrants and refugees.

Last December, more than 100 volunteers from Mission Australia, Vline and Metlink helped many first-time public transport users find their way to and from the event, as well as navigate their way around the zoo.

Further information:

• Melbourne Zoo opens doors to 3,000 children and families from across Victoria
• Adelaide kids enjoy a day at the zoo

Media Release: Melbourne Zoo opens doors to 3,000 children and their families from across Victoria

More than three thousand Victorians will experience the zoo for the first time today at Melbourne Zoo as part of a pre-Christmas event that enables social inclusion, education and fun.

The Mission Australia Family Day at the Zoo, in partnership with Zoos Victoria and MetLink and V/Line, gives free entry and free public transport to Victorian children from across the state, including migrants and refugees.

Mission Australia Victoria State Director said: “Many of us take the opportunity to visit Melbourne’s world-leading arts and recreation venues for granted, but this is the first chance many of our family guests will have to experience the excitement and wonder of a zoo.

“Our latest National Youth Survey found the number of Victorians taking part in arts and cultural activities has dropped significantly since 2008, highlighting the need to encourage activities which engage children and their families to build their relationships and life skills,” he said.

As part of its programs, Mission Australia has supported many of these families to overcome the challenges that have prevented them from participating in community activities and taking public transport in the past.

“All families have been provided with free travel on metropolitan and regional networks for the day, which will boost their confidence on public transport in the future.

“We thank Metlink and V/Line for their support,” said Mr Bird.

More than 100 volunteers from Mission Australia, Vline and Metlink will help many first-time public transport users find their way to and from the event, as well as navigate their way around the zoo.

Melbourne Zoo Director Kevin Tanner said: “We welcome the opportunity to encourage families to connect with amazing animals from Australia and around the world and find out how they can play a part in saving wildlife.”

Highlights also include face painting, music performances and chalk art, which start from 10am.

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Event details

• What: Mission Australia and Zoos Victoria Family Day at the Zoo
• Where: Melbourne Zoo, Elliott Avenue, Parkville.
• When: 10AM to 3PM on Wednesday, 22 December
  12.15PM – Media opportunities
• Who: More than 3,000 migrants, refugees and Victorian children and their families visiting Melbourne Zoo for the first time.

Interview and photo opportunities:

• Mission Australia’s Victorian State Director, Paul Bird
• Zoos Victoria CEO, Jenny Gray
• Families attending
• Children feeding the giraffes

Media contacts:

• Rachael Nightingale on (03) 9600 0006 / 0449 881 980 or rachael@fenton.com.au
• Emily Lehmann on (03) 9600 0006 / 0421 852 501 or emilyl@fenton.com.au

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Adelaide kids enjoy a day at the zoo

More than 80 children had the opportunity to meet Adelaide Zoo’s superstar giant pandas last week, thanks to Mission Australia and our generous corporate donors.

Among the visitors were children of refugee families, young mothers and children from homeless and crisis-care backgrounds.

Mission Australia arranged the visit to Adelaide Zoo after the children nominated it as a place they’d like to visit – particularly to see the new panda exhibit. With the help of an anonymous corporate sponsor as well as generous bus operators and food providers, Mission Australia staff made it happen.

“The children received the VIP treatment and got to see the giant pandas,Wang Wang and Funi,” said Jillian Paull, Mission Australia’s State Director, South Australia. “They also all received goodie bags that included donated books.

“There were a lot of parents and some grandparents who made a family day of it - a lot of the parents and children had never been to the zoo, so it was a special event.”

The children all sported dazzling butterfly wings – Mission Australia’s symbol of transformation. The 25 Mission Australia Community Services and Employment Solutions staff members who supported them on the day also glammed it up in black T-shirts featuring the word ‘Transform’ in glittery letters.

Mission Australia’s own Simon Lappin also kept the smiles alive with his guitar and supply of fun songs.

Melbourne Zoo to open the doors for disadvantaged Victorians

Meerkats, tigers and gorillas are just some of the wildlife that 3,000 migrant, refugee and disadvantaged Victorians will visit today at the Mission Australia/Zoos Victoria Family Day at Melbourne Zoo.

The Family Day is aims to provide an opportunity to social inclusion for disengaged and disadvantaged children and their families from across Victoria through free public transport courtesy of Metlink and V/Line, an experience most Victorians take for granted.

Mission Australia State Director, Paul Bird, said the event, in its second year, is all about giving disengaged and disadvantaged individuals and families the confidence and skills needed to navigate public transport and experience the fun and education of the Melbourne Zoo.

“Our Family Day provides people – some who have never experienced public transport and the adventure of going to the zoo in their lives – with a wonderful opportunity to get up close and experience a much loved community icon,” Mr Bird said.

“Mission Australia is committed to ensuring all Victorians are able to participate in their communities and it is really inspiring so many are able to experience the joy of interacting with friends, family and the animals at our Family Day.”

As reported in Mission Australia’s 2009 Survey of Young Australians, the number of young Victorians participating in cultural activities or attending significant events or attractions has dropped significantly.

“In 2008, almost 46 per cent of young Victorians were involved in these pursuits. This year, only 20 per cent are. We’ve also seen a drop in attendance of sporting events as a spectator, down from 48.4 per cent to 39.7,” Mr Bird said.

“These figures suggest that the global financial crisis has really hit hard for some Victorian families, so it is of increased importance to have events like this to spread some cheer over the holiday season.”

Melbourne Zoo Director, Kevin Tanner, said the first Family Day last year was a great success.

“We hope that the guests coming to the event this year will enjoy the Zoo experience, especially our new Wild Sea display, and leave at the end of their visit with a greater appreciation of wildlife and a better understanding of the need to conserve it,” Mr Tanner said.

Bakers Delight has provided small pastry treats for families and RACV has donated new colouring books for the children.

More than 100 volunteers from Mission Australia, Metlink and RACV will help families find their way to and from the event and navigate the zoo grounds.

Activities on the day include face painting, music performances, carousel rides, up close encounters with animals and colouring in activities.