Easter in Melbourne
is a glorious four day holiday weekend.
Amidst the hot cross buns and Easter eggs,
it's hard to escape two big events in our city:
the start of the Australian Football League AFL season...
Go Hawks!
AND
our Good Friday Appeal.
Across the city, fundraisers are out in force collecting
for our Royal Children's hospital.
Last year the Good Friday Appeal raised over 16 Million
a staggering amount that they are hoping to exceed this year.
Having raised three children in Melbourne
I am very happy to say
I had never visited the Royal Children's Hospital
until this week,
when I visited for coffee with a friend who was working there.
For me, arriving on foot from across the parkland,
and not in an ambulance with a sick child,
I was able to appreciate the architectural beauty of the buildings
and the bushland Parkville setting.
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| City Views and glorious parkland surround the RCH |
Once inside you notice the many child-centred activities
that create the fun environment.
From a two story real coral reef aquarium,
the bean bag cinema,
or the Scienceworks hands on experience.
You are left with a feeling of what a wonderful building,
one that you hope you never have to use,
but if you do, you can see the immense amount of thought and design
to give children to best experience possible whilst in hospital.
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| The aquarium and some of the many interactive displays |
It is no wonder that our Children's hospital is considered
a world leader in child and adolescent health.
They seem to have thought of everything.
The building is light full of natural light
with many interactive indoor
and outdoor play areas at every turn.
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| Alexander Knox: Creature at the Royal Melbourne Children's Hospital |
One area I especially loved was the open air Meerkat enclosure
developed in partnership with Zoos Victoria.
developed in partnership with Zoos Victoria.
These cheeky little critters,
so full of life, were entertaining young and old
with their boundless energy.
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| Spot the Meerkats! |
The Meerkats are looked after by zoo keepers
from the nearby Melbourne Zoo.
MRCH was the first hospital in the world to permanently
exhibit live animals, the zoo keepers cycle across the park
on their bicycles to bring the Meerkats their food.
Judging by the numbers of children and adults
enthralled and enjoying watching,
the inquisitive Meerkats, they look a massive hit.
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| Meerkat enclosure Royal Children's Hospital for Saturday's Critters |
on the television,
So far they have raised nearly 14 million
for this worthy cause.
Well done to all involved!
Linking with the following with thanks to all the wonderful hosts:
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