Thousands of school-children across the State will enjoy Government-funded recreation and leisure activities during the current third-term holidays.
The activities ranged from visits to the zoo, special performances by clowns, and visits to the movies, to day outings to parks and painting or art classes.
Community Development and Family Minister Eric Ripper said today 138 groups, funded through the Department for Community Development, provided the activities.
Mr Ripper said a total of more than $800,000 was allocated this year to fund holiday activities for children through the Vacation Care and Sumfun programs.
"Vacation care supports families with parents in the workforce, while Sumfun provides some 'time out' and support for parents who otherwise have full-time responsibility for children," the Minister said.
"These programs highlight the Government's commitment to providing practical help and support to parents, children and families, in all their diverse forms."
The Vacation Care allocation was part of the joint Commonwealth-State Child Care Strategy. The number of available child care places in Western Australia had more than trebled since 1983.
Vacation Care catered for children aged between 6 and 12 years, providing full-time care, eight hours a day, five days a week during the holidays.
Sumfun funded short-term activities for particular days or half-days, and was mostly for children aged between 11 and 15 years. A total of 52 Sumfun projects were offered during the current school holidays - 25 in the metropolitan area and 27 in the country.
Funding was also provided to enable children with disabilities to access school holiday vacation care programs through the Resource Unit for Children with Special Needs (RUCSN).
