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Ballina Players brought the world of Dr Dolittle Jr to life over the January holidays.  In the adapted junior production of the classic tale of John Dolittle, an accentric medical doctor who turns animal doctor with the help of his trusty companion and parrot to search for the “Great Pink Sea Snail. With his new animal and human friends they set off on an adventure of a life time. The cast of 25 incredibly talented children between the ages of 5 – 17 showcased their talents on stage with their singing, dancing and acting skills. We at FunSing are very proud that 18 of the 25 children that performed are students of the FunSing program. Dr Dolittle was directed by Peter Harding and Karen Goodsell.

The end of the recent July Workshop was a landmark moment for FunSing.  Since its creation in 2009, FunSing has been Kim Hernage and Kim Hernage has been FunSing!

Kim has decided that it is time for someone else to take over from her.  After 33 workshops the July workshop was her last.

“Well this is my last time as Director of a FunSing workshop” Kim told the packed audience at the Ballina Players theatre. “Although I might be feeling somewhat sad and will miss the close association with so many beautiful kids and families, my memories of hundreds of special moments will always be with me” Kim said.

“My husband Paul and I have really loved creating, developing and delivering FunSing and having a close association with so many wonderful children, youth and their families” Kim added.

Kim announced that Kristen Lodge will be taking over from her as FunSing Director at the September/October holidays workshop. “She is a talented actress, experienced manager and an author of published children’s books” Kim said.  “She is really very passionate about what FunSing represents and her appropriate skills and strong feelings will place FunSing in capable hands” Kim added.

Kristen has asked Kim to be present at the next workshop and she will be there one last time and hopes to be able to say a warm and personal thankyou to so many FunSing supporters then.

With the closing of the curtain at the October FunSing workshop concert, FunSing’s tenth year was over. A truly wonderful landmark.

“When we started the program in 2009, we thought it would fill a gap in theatre style activities for Ballina children and teens” FunSing Director Kim Hernage said.  “Although we believed singing, dancing and acting activities would  contribute to holiday fun and assist in youth personal development, we weren’t 100% sure how it would be seen by parents generally”.

FunSing is a fast pace, high energy program that kids from the area have fallen in love with and parents have recognised the benefits.  “They continue to be amazed at what the kids are able to achieve in just 4 days” Kim added.

The program fills to its limit every time with return customers and word of mouth communication. Over 600 children and teens from throughout the Northern Rivers have attended FunSing a total of 1800 times.

The NSW Government recently announced that a Creative Kids Rebate will be introduced in January 2019. The $100 per child rebate will be able to be put towards the cost of participation or tuition fees for a range of creative and cultural activities including music lessons and performing arts.

FunSing Director, Kim Hernage said that more information about the rebate, including the eligibility criteria and providers, will be available in the coming months.

“I am anticipating that the rebate will be able to be used towards FunSing fees” said Kim. “The recognition of the value of programs such as ours is a great step forward” she added.

More information will be provided as soon as it is available. In the meantime you can visit www.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/news/100-rebate-for-creative-kids.