Although most of these activities are for adults, we’ve added kid-friendly, free activities around the region. These are denoted by asterisks beside the title, and ages will be indicated in the listing.
DAILY
AA Meetings
If you or someone you know has developed a drinking problem, you may want to consider contacting Alcoholics Anonymous. There are no dues or fees for AA membership – the only requirement is a desire to stop drinking. There are meetings daily at different times and venues around the region. To find one close to you, call 1300 222 222 or head online to aa.org.au.
*First Five Forever Storytime*
Head to your local Library between 9.30-10.30am for an enjoyable session of stories with an emphasis on fun! This is an interactive program for pre-schoolers and is suitable for ages 0-5 years and their families and carers. Different libraries have this fun activity on different weekdays, with Gympie, Kilkivan, and Rainbow Beach hosting Mondays, Tin Can Bay, and Imbil Libraries on Thursdays, and Goomeri Library on Fridays. Bookings essential on 5481 0859.
*Make and Create*
Stop by the children’s area at your local library branch for some free craft activities during these school holidays. Every day between 2 and 3pm at the Gympie Library, and 11am and 12 pm at Tin Can Bay, you can pop in and have some creative fun. Kilkivan Library craft will be held on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am. Imbil Library craft starts on Tuesdays at 10am. Goomeri Library will host their free craft workshops on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am, and just pop into the Rainbow Beach Library any time during opening hours to see what’s happening. Suitable for children aged 3-12 years and their carers.
Device advice
Have a quick question that needs answering? Book in for a one-on-one, half-hour session at your local Library to ask your questions and resolve your concerns about your smartphone or tablet. From resetting a password, connecting to Wi-Fi, making a call or downloading a library app, the friendly staff will do their best to assist. Bookings are essential. Book between these hours for these libraries: Rainbow Beach, Mondays 10.30am-12pm; Tin Can Bay, Tuesdays and Fridays 2.30-4pm, and Gympie, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9am to 12pm.
FRIDAY 16 January
*Make your own candle*
Come along to this fun session at the Gympie Library from 1pm as you learn how to make your own soy and beeswax candles. Suitable for ages 12-17 years. Bookings are essential.
*Learn to Sew – beginners*
Join us at the Gympie Library from 3.30pm for week two of this four-week course as we teach you the basics of sewing. Participants will have the opportunity to complete a new project each week. These sessions will inspire creativity and build life-long basic skills, while having fun at the same time. Spaces are limited, so booking is essential. Suitable for ages 8 – 12 years.
Cricut Machine Introduction
Cricut makes it easy to create something unique in a flash. Label your pantry or bust out a last-minute birthday card, customise home decor, create personalised t-shirts, or surprise someone special with a perfectly themed event. Learn how you can create too at the Gympie Library on the third Friday of every month at 10am. Spaces are limited so booking is essential. To reserve your place, visit the website or phone the library at 5481 0859.
Writing Friday
Here’s your chance to join other writers in practising and honing your literary skills. Whether your interest is in writing novels, short stories, non-fiction, or poetry, or gaining better marks for your assignments, Writing Friday will provide a regular opportunity to write, learn, and enjoy the company of like-minded people. Sessions are held at the Gympie Library at 10am on the third Friday of each month.
Goomeri Gardening Group
Join other like-minded individuals at the Goomeri Library at 9am to talk about how to grow plants, swap seeds and cuttings, and exchange gardening tips. New and experienced gardeners are welcome.
SATURDAY 17 January
Gympie RSL Community Fun Day
Don’t miss this free Community Fun Day at the Nelson Reserve, 10am to 2pm. There will be market stalls, face painting, jumping castle, petting zoo, live music, balloon twisting, and meet local firefighters from the Gympie Station. With all this fun on offer, it’s definitely the place to be on Saturday.
Sustainable Saturday – Grow a garden for every season
This topic, presented by horticulturist Paul Plant at the Gympie Library at 1pm, will cover gardening with natives and non-natives, how to include edibles and ornamentals in your space, as well as how to create a garden that can be enjoyed by us and the wildlife. Bookings are essential.
MONDAY 19 January
*Create your own Dinosaur Cartoon*
This workshop, at the Gympie Library at 2pm, presented by Phil Judd, gives the children the opportunity to learn to create their very own dinosaur! Every child will create their own Dinosaur cartoon character. The ideas shown can be used to create all sorts of characters besides those shown. Phil Judd is a member of the Australian Cartoonists Association. For children 8-12 years. Bookings are essential.
Gympie Library Craft Group
Come and share your current project at 10am with the Gympie Library Craft Group. Bring along a piece you’re working on – be it knitting, sewing, crocheting or cross-stitching – and share ideas and learn with other craft-minded people. There’s no leader and no pressure; you can work, watch, or simply enjoy a friendly chat.
Kilkivan Nibbles and Giggles
This social get-together at the Kilkivan Library every Monday at 9.30am is to chat over a coffee or tea and allows you to meet people in your local community and borrow a book or DVD from the library. Coffee, tea, and biscuits will be supplied.
Boomerang Bag Sewing Group
This group meets MOST Mondays from 1-3pm at the Rainbow Beach Library. This small group sews their hearts out to help reduce the use of plastic bags by providing reusable cloth bags made from recycled, donated fabric. For more information, please phone the Rainbow Beach Library.
*Tinker Table @ Gympie*
Drop into the Gympie Library between 3.30 and 4.30pm for some fun and educational activities based on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths). No bookings are required, but space is limited. Suitable for ages 5-12 years.
TUESDAY 20 January
*Busy Little Creatures*
Join us at the Imbil Library from 1pm for a fun and exciting storytime and craft activity as we explore the many different creepy crawly creatures found in the bottom of our gardens. For children 5-8 years. Bookings are essential.
Songbirds Senior Choir
Ever wanted to join a social singing group? Well, the Gympie Songbirds are for you. Formed in the 1990s, they perform regularly at aged care and respite centres and over 50’s villages throughout the year. Rehearsals are held MOST Tuesdays from 1.30 to 2.30pm. To join, first become a member of the Gympie Senior Citizens Centre (for a one-off annual $5 fee), and practice sessions at the centre in Mellor Street cost $4 each, with $1 going to the club and $3 to the Songbirds to provide songbooks and sundries.
*Afterschool Board Games*
Come down and join in the fun at Kilkivan Library from 3.15pm, playing your favourite board games with friends. No bookings required, but space is limited. Suitable for ages 5 -12 years.
*First Five Forever Toddler Time*
Head along to the Gympie Library between 9.30-10am for an interactive and joyful session full of songs, rhymes, and dancing. Suitable for toddlers aged 1-3 years. Bookings essential on 5481 0859.
Goomeri Mahjong Mornings
Pop into the Goomeri Library at 9am for a social get-together to chat over a coffee or tea, with the opportunity to play a round or two of Mahjong. Phone 4168 4340 for more information.
Senior Citizens Club activities
Head along to the Senior Citizens Centre on Mellor Street to take part in card games and dominoes. Every Tuesday and Friday, there are plenty of players looking for partners between 10am and 2pm. Also, on a Tuesday only, there is indoor bowls from 10am to midday. It costs $4 per session to play (either games or bowls), $1 to join the Senior Citizens’ Club, and $5 per year to join the centre – but why not come and try, with the first two sessions absolutely free? Anyone over the age of 50 is welcome to join. For more information, contact Judy and Mel on 0431 184 978.
Trivia Tuesdays
Come along and make some friends, have fun, and test your knowledge with trivia questions from 10am at the Gympie Library.
Tin Can Bay Art Group
The Tin Can Bay Library is calling all artists at 10am to join them to share work and ideas, and connect with artists in the community. Bring your work in progress, join in a friendly chat, and exchange ideas. All artists, levels, and mediums are welcome. Phone 5486 4355 for more information.
Tin Can Bay Mahjong
Head along to the Tin Can Bay Library at 1pm for a wonderful afternoon playing Mahjong. Mahjong is an ancient Chinese tile game of strategy, calculation, and skill with a measure of chance. This group is open to everyone, young and old, wanting to learn this ancient Chinese game.
*Tuesday Robotics*
Come down to the Gympie Library from 3.30pm to get hands-on in one of our fun, relaxed sessions. No bookings are required, but space is limited. Suitable for ages 5-12 years.
WEDNESDAY 21 January
*Botzees*
Learn how to build and program your own robot with Botzees at the Gympie Library at 2pm. Botzees are fun, interactive robots that help to inspire early learners to explore coding concepts through an intuitive and visual programming language. For children 5-8 years. Bookings are essential.
*Tinker Table @ Kilkivan and Imbil*
Drop into the Kilkivan or Imbil Libraries between 3.30 and 4.30pm for some fun and educational activities based on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths). No bookings are required, but space is limited. Suitable for ages 5-12 years.
Cards with Friends
Love to play cards? Then why not come and play a game or two while enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of the Goomeri Library? The fun starts at 9am on Wednesdays and Fridays, and all are welcome.
*First Five Forever Baby Rhyme Time*
Between 9.30-11am, Gympie Library is the place to be for two interactive sessions aimed at babies from 0-1 years and their caregivers. Come along and meet other parents and babies for nursery rhymes, fingerplays, and songs. The first session runs from 9.30 to 10am and then from 10.30 to 11am. Bookings essential on 5481 0859.
Tin Can Bay Papercraft
At the Tin Can Bay Library from 9.30am they make all sorts of greeting cards, so come and join us for a fun morning. Make and take your card creations. Beginners and experienced card-makers are welcome. Join this friendly group and let your creative juices flow.
Just Craftin’ Around
Looking for a welcoming and creative space to indulge in your love for card-making? Look no further! Join our friendly card-making group at the Gympie Library at 10am where you can connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for creativity. Bring your own materials and settle in for a delightful crafting session.
THURSDAY 22 January
*Cardboard Loom Weaving*
Weave a beautiful woollen heart or square on a cardboard loom at the Tin Can Bay Library, starting at 10am. For children 8-12 years. Bookings are essential.
*Family Movie Night*
Bring along snacks and a cosy cushion or blanket at 4.30pm, settle in and enjoy! Check in with our friendly team at Gympie Library to discover which film will be playing. Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Bookings are essential.
*First Five Forever Rhymes, Rhythm and Tales*
Drop into the Gympie Library from 10.30am for an interactive, storytelling adventure with movement, music, rhymes, and play. A fun-filled morning, suitable for 3-5 year olds.
Goomeri Scrabble Thursdays
The Goomeri Library is the place to be from 1pm to test your word knowledge and enjoy a friendly game of Scrabble.
If you have a listing you would like included on our free community noticeboard, send details to newsdesk@gympietoday.com.au or drop into the office at 2 Chapple Street during opening hours, and we’ll include your event.
