Bring your family down to Largs Beach in the January school holidays and learn all about the amazing things we can find right here on our local beaches.

Join local shell expert Peter Hunt and marine ecologist Dr Sue Murray-Jones on this guided beach combing session.

We’ll explore the tide line and jetty pylons, learning about the things we discover.

This is a fun way to learn about the beach environment through a hands-on experience.

This beach session is suitable for families with children of all ages. Adults and older children will learn so much about our local beach environment, whilst younger children will enjoy exploring the beach.

Please note that children must be accompanied by a guardian and be appropriately supervised by you at all times.

Adults are also welcome to attend without children, as there is so much all of us can discover and learn about our local environment.

Meeting Spot: Meet in the carpark to the north of the Largs Bay sailing club (on Lady Gowrie Drive, opposite Wigley Street). Please meet 5 minutes before the session starts.We will then wander along the beach towards the Largs Bay Jetty, before returning around 10.30am.

What to bring:

• Please dress for the weather (sun safe clothing, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
• Bring your water bottle and snacks
• Bring along a bucket or small bag to hold what you find
• We recommend you wear appropriate footwear and clothing to safely explore the beach environment.

We will postpone the event if the weather forecast is over 35 DecC and will notify you of this via email and sms.

The nearest public toilets are a 5 minute walk away from our meeting spot.

Numbers are limited, so please let us know if you can no longer make it.

Please contact the Port Environment Centre if you have any mobility or access concerns or other event enquiries (0488 229 925 or email hello@portenvironmentcentre.org.au)

Take some time to find some stillness at the start of the new year and join us in beautiful Lartelare Park alongside the Port River and have a go at nature journaling.

Connect with nature while you learn to sketch, make notes and record your surrounds in a gentle, fun and supported way. Facilitated by Jenny Deans, this workshop invites you to explore your creativity and find some mindful moments considering whats growing around you, while developing your artistic skills.

No experience necessary - this relaxing workshop will introduce you to seeing nature in different ways. From complete beginners to the most experience artist, everyone will find new ways to connect through this session. All equipment provided and you will receive a notebook to take home with you and continue your nature journaling practice.

While this event is aimed at adults, families are also welcome to attend. Children will need to have a concession ticket, must be accompanied by a guardian and be appropriately supervised at all times. The workshop is generally suited to children over 8 years but may suit some younger children.

Lartelare is a beautiful, waterfront space to explore, observe and reflect. Lartelare was designed as a place to tell local Aboriginal stories and to recognise the birthplace of Lartelare. Full of local native plants, it is a space that combines indigenous culture, art, history, nature and play.

Parking is available under the Hart Street Bridge, accessed from Wirra Drive (note the nearest public toilets are a 5 minute walk away).

Please dress for the weather and remember to bring a hat, sunscreen, water bottle and snacks. In the morning, by the river, with shade from the bridge above, we should be protected from the worst of the summer heat.

We will postpone the event if the weather forecast is over 35 DecC and will notify you of this via email and sms. If we need to postpone, the backup date is Wednesday 29th Jan, 6pm - 8pm.

Please contact the Port Environment Centre if you have any mobility or access concerns.

Numbers are limited, so please let us know if you can no longer make it.

For event enquiries please contact the Port Environment Centre on 0488 229 925 or email hello@portenvironmentcentre.org.au

End Strip Searching of Children All children must be treated with dignity. Children should never be strip searched.

But right now, across the country, children are still regularly subjected to violent and degrading strip searches by police and prison authorities. For children who have already experienced violence, sexual abuse or trauma, this invasive practice can be profoundly retraumatising.

That’s why Lidia Thorpe has introduced a Bill to Parliament to outlaw it.

The Crimes Amendment (Prohibiting the Strip Searching of Children) Bill 2026 would ban strip searches of anyone under 18 under any circumstances.

Children must be protected from trauma and abuse, including when they are in custody.

Make a submission to the inquiry about this Bill https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Legal_and_Constitutional_Affairs/StripSearching2026

The Senate is holding an inquiry into this Bill, and your voice can help make the case for change.

Anyone can make a submission. You can share your experiences, concerns or reasons for supporting the Bill, and this will inform the report that will be delivered to the Albanese government.

This inquiry is an opportunity for truth-telling. Your story is valuable in ensuring the truth is heard.

It is also possible to make a confidential or anonymous submission.

Submissions close: 14 September 2026

Over 500 million children globally live in conflict zones, representing over 1 in 5 children worldwide. These young people face grave violations, including physical violence, forced displacement, hunger, loss of education and recruitment as child soldiers, leaving deep physical and mental scars.

Safeguarding children in conflict zones requires sustained, concerted and collaborative efforts to safeguard children and address the consequences of living in conflict zones.

This webinar will feature leading paediatric and child health professionals discussing how to safeguard children in conflict zones.