Nine things to do in the region this week (6-12 August)

August is the month of art and platypuses.

The Sapphire Coast will be resplendent with all manner of art and craft by local talent for Art Month 2021, while Waterwatch will be celebrating Platypus Month by providing the opportunity to spot the unique marsupials along Queanbeyan River. And yes, the plural of platypus is platypuses (a group of them is called a ‘paddle’, for those playing at home).

Continuing the animal theme, enjoy Devonshire tea at an alpaca farm in Jervis Bay. Or in Yass, tap your feet to live music and dabble in some life drawing at Yazzbar, or stock up your pantry with fresh produce from the community markets. For people on the NSW South Coast, Ulladulla is holding a fresh food market, too.

Learn all about the process of dyeing fabric in Goulburn to set you on the path of upcycling those tops you bought from the op-shop.

Moruya Library is hosting Winter LEGO Club, with all pieces provided so the kids can go to town creating. Hopefully they let adults in, too…

All week

ART MONTH Sapphire Coast

When: Various dates and times throughout August
Where: Various locations along the Sapphire Coast
Cost: Varies – see online for listing of individual events.

Explore the creative culture of the NSW Sapphire Coast as local artists, filmmakers, performers, musicians, potters and printmakers create spectacular events for the entire month of August.

From Bermagui in the north, to Eden in the south, via Cobargo, Candelo and Wyndham, their artists, craftspeople and performers will inspire you during ART MONTH Sapphire Coast.

Afternoon Tea with the Alpacas

When: Friday, 6 August, to Sunday, 29 August
Where: Glenbungle Farm, 555a Jervis Bay Road, Woollamia
Cost: Adult, $30; children, $15; family, $80; children under 6 years old are free – phone 0400 151 465 to book.

Head to beautiful Jervis Bay to visit Glenbungle Farm, where you can take alpacas for walks, see chickens, ducks and meet the Maremma sheepdogs that guard them from wild foxes! The alpacas have their first drop of babies with seven boys and five girls running around the paddocks.

Enjoy an afternoon tea in the middle of the farm with coffee, tea and scones with jam and cream, and for the kids, lemonade or apple juice. Bookings are essential.

The Crossbenchers at Yazzbar

When: Friday, 6 August, to Thursday, 12 August, from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Yazzbar, 62 Comur Street, Yass
Cost: Free entry.

The Crossbenchers are a four-piece Canberra band featuring musicians from the local lounge scene. They will be performing live at Yazzbar for most nights in August.

Saturday

Yass Community Markets

When: Saturday, 7 August
Where: 62 Comur Street, Yass
Cost: Free entry.

Yass Community Markets are held on the first and third Saturday of the month at Yass Memorial Hall. Stalls include a variety of local produce such as jams, sauces, oils, baked items, and arts and crafts.

Sunday

Guided Platypus Tour on the Queanbeyan River

When: Sunday, 8 August, from 7:00 am to 9:30 am
Where: Isabella Street Footbridge, Isabella Street, Queanbeyan
Cost: Free – bookings essential. Contact Mary Bonet on 02 6207 3390, or by email at [email protected].

August is Platypus Month and it’s a great time to see the mammals in the ACT region. Join Waterwatch for a free platypus walk on the Queanbeyan River – a known platypus hotspot. It is BYO binoculars, although some pairs will be available to borrow.

Numbers are limited so bookings are essential.

Marine Rescue Ulladulla Wharf Markets

When: Sunday, 8 August, at 2:00 pm
Where: Ulladulla Wharf, Wason Street, Ulladulla
Cost: Free entry.

The Marine Rescue Ulladulla Wharf Markets are run by the volunteer members of the local unit of Marine Rescue NSW, and have become an institution in this pretty South Coast town. Held on the second Sunday of each month, the craft, produce and specialty stalls attract visitors from near and far.

Life Drawing with Penny

When: Sunday, 8 August, at 2:00 pm
Where: Yazzbar, 62 Comur Street, Yass
Cost: $60, includes art supplies and a glass of wine – call Penny on 0409 759 600 to book.

Join Penny for an afternoon of art, wine and life drawing at Yazzbar. Enjoy a glass of wine and the art stylings of Penny as you wile away the afternoon immersing yourself in the journey of life drawing.

Monday

Fabric Dyeing and Printing

When: Monday, 9 August, at 1:30 pm
Where: Creative Space Goulburn, 205 Auburn Street, Goulburn
Cost: $190, includes tuition, all materials and afternoon tea – text Barbara on 0427 832 695 to book.

Creative Space Goulburn will explore the world of textile arts by using commercial and natural dyes, printing techniques and embroidery to turn fabric into works of art.

Perhaps you have a piece of clothing you would like to upcycle?

Throughout this course you will dye fabric with commercial and natural dyes, before cutting lino blocks and using screen printing to overlay shape and design to your work. You’ll then finish off with some embroidery to enhance the fabric. Your design can be simple and minimalistic, or complex and dynamic.

Thursday

Winter LEGO Club

When: Thursday, 12 August, from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Where: Moruya Library, Vulcan Place, Moruya
Cost: Free – register online.

This winter, Eurobodalla Shire Council’s libraries are taking it in turns to run a weekly, free Winter LEGO club. In August, it’s Moruya’s turn to have some fun and get creative. LEGO is supplied and kids aged between 6 and 10 can create their own ideas or try out the weekly challenge.

Bookings are not essential, but are preferred.