A GREAT family fun day is planned this Saturday July 5 at Forster Main Beach to get the school holidays off to a flying start, when Great Lakes Council’s Library Service holds the Whale Naming Celebration.

What’s more, the entire day is being held free of charge, to ease the strain on family finances that school holidays can bring.

“We’re encouraging families to bring a picnic lunch, and enjoy many activities planned to begin at 10am for the day,” Cr Linda Gill, Chair of the Great Lakes Library Service Committee said.

“We will be encouraging all to come along in fancy dress as sea creatures or anything to do with the ocean.”

There will be a sand modelling competition, focusing on Worimi the whale, the ocean and its creatures.

“There will be give-aways on the day and two major prizes, awarded for the best dressed sea creature competition and the sand modelling competition, have been generously donated by Matt Coombe of Amaroo Dolphin Watch Cruises.

“The prizes are a family pass (two adults, two children) on the Amaroo dolphin and whale watching cruise.”

Educationally, the day will provide numerous opportunities to learn about whales and other sea creatures, courtesy of our local dive group.

There will also be interpretive walks from Main Beach past Second Head to Pebbly Beach.

These walks are a great opportunity to learn about coastal dynamics, what lives on the rocky shores and other aspects of marine ecology.

Two well-known local artists, Donna Rankin and Mandy Davis are collaborating on a mural at Main Beach Forster and this will be unveiled on the day.

There’s also an opportunity to learn about the local Worimi culture in the Elders tent.

The Amaroo will be running cruises, in recognition of our whale naming and National Whale day.

“Of course, there will also be an official naming ceremony and celebration for our adopted whale, Worimi,” Cr Gill said.