By Rebecca Skilton
After joining the Parklea Pakenham Show four years ago, the Pakenham Library and Pakenham Living and Learning Centre have become vital elements of the annual community event.
Now, with the 18 March show right around the corner, the two organisations are preparing to bring family fun and flavours of the world to P.B Ronald Reserve.
“The Pakenham Library and the Living and Learning Centre hopped on board without any hesitation to support the show,” Pakenham Show sponsorship and attraction co-ordinator Janette Young explained.
“With the new venue – moving from the old racecourse – came massive changes for the show, and without their strong support it would have been harder.”
Planning for the day is library branch co-ordinator, Melissa Martin, and Living and Learning Centre manager, Miriam Cadwallader. The duo are pleased to be involved with the long running show, and are set to bring a range of activities to the event.
“Casey Cardinia Libraries are delighted to be involved in the Pakenham Show,” Melissa said.
“Partnering with the show is a great way for the libraries to connect with our community and show how our libraries are full of creative community spaces.”
Throughout show day, the artistic spaces of the library will be on full display, with showgoers invited to take part in a number of art and craft activities available between 9am and 4pm.
“Kids can have their face painted, make a Cat in a Hat bookmark and get their very own temporary tattoo,” Melissa explained. “Families and kids can also grab a quick snap at our farming photo prop station to capture the moment.”
Similarly, the living and learning centre will be joining in on the celebrations, inviting showgoers to experience multiculturalism at its finest.
“We do lots of multicultural things,” Miriam explained.
“We’ve got lots of different types of food. We will have New Zealand Hangi and some Thai food that will be happening as well. We’ve also got a Filipino lady coming down to do a Filipino barbecue. It will all be in the community garden area, and we’ll have seating available.”
With additional activities such as clay sculpture demonstrations, and Pilates and strength training demonstrations on display, the living and learning centre wishes to remind showgoers that the Pakenham community is ‘about inclusiveness, respect and sense of belonging for everyone.’
“There are lots of different people who are migrating and they’re relocating in Pakenham. It’s about making sure people understand they’re just like us,” Miriam said. “We all live as one, it’s just about education.”
The living and learning centre will open their doors at 10am, with the final demonstration appearing in the centre’s deck area at 2.45pm. Both the library and the living and learning centre can be found on Henry Street, Pakenham.
