The event is being held to encourage parents, children and carers in Alice Springs to take the time to appreciate the special connection and bond they share from being part of their own unique families.

“The National Families Week celebrations in the Civic Centre Courtyard are set to be fun-filled and family-friendly, with special guests and entertainment appearing throughout the morning,” said Mayor Fran Kilgariff.

Guests and entertainment will include balloon twisting, face-painting and special appearances from Booka the Library Dog, Yamba the Honey Ant at 10am, story time with John at 11am and IMA Safety House at 11.30am.

The slogan across Australia for this year’s National Families Week is ‘FITT Families - Families Investing in Time Together’. The emphasis of National Families Week 2007 on making an investment of family time is about prompting people to remember that they are part of families and that the family unit itself, as well its members, need special tending if it is to be strong,

“I encourage everyone in Alice Springs to take this action – to really hear and connect within their families, and make special effort to do one or two new or different things to improve relationships,” said Mayor Kilgariff.

“Across Australia families are diverse, and this diversity especially exists in our rich and multi-cultural community in Alice Springs. Every family is diverse and each has a different way to connect and relate, all of which deserve respect and encouragement,” said Mayor Kilgariff.

“At Council we always endeavour to build on partnerships across the community, and we would like to thank the Alice Springs Family Day Care Centre for their contribution in the planning and organising of the National Families Week event,” said Mayor Kilgariff.

For more information about the National Families Week event on Thursday 17 May please contact Council’s Community Events and Projects Officer Fran Stoops on 89500505.

For further information contact:

Mayor Fran Kilgariff (08) 8950 0525 or 0419 376 060

ASTC Chief Executive Officer Rex Mooney (08) 8950 0525 or 0427 161 956

ASTC Media Officer Fionn Muster (08) 8950 0546 or 0417 884 449

ASFDC Scheme Manager Cindy Pierson (08) 8952 3406 or 0412 920 247