Hi Leanne here.

It’s a bit of a tough gig isn’t it? Going back into hibernation.

But … for anyone who doesn’t know

1. People in our immediate neighbourhood have COVID19 (despite being super careful)

2. It’s super catchy (see above).

So don’t be in any doubt that community transmission is now happening right here - and take extra care.

I know it is a bit daunting, but in the end I think helpful to honestly acknowledge our reality and to also recognise that this is not something someone else will or can fix for us.

It really is going to need our individual and collective goodwill and action (or inaction as it may be), along with our kindness, understanding, good humour, resilience, flexibility, patience and love to get through this - in terms of our own (and our community’s) physical and mental health.

So I am trying to remember to take it easy on myself and others, to not react, to trust that everyone is likely as worried and antsy as I am, and to have faith that like me, everyone is doing their best in unchartered waters.

Obviously ACC will not be physically open in the next few weeks, but we will be here sharing these crazy times, thinking about and actioning ways we can keep connected - together but apart. And we’ll be posting daily on Instagram and Facebook (trying to ensure our posts are generally a bit more upbeat than this one). You can also sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter via your email inbox if you haven’t already.

If you need support please know we are only a phone call or email away. Just like last time you can contact us if you need practical things like meals or connections into other services, or if you need a one-off chat, a regular phone call … or anything else.

Think of us as your neighbourhood family!

Finally I thought I would leave you with this quote from stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius, which someone else shared on the interwebs recently. Because I agree that stoicism could well be where we’re at.

xx

After so many crazy months we’re taking a break for two weeks for the school holidays for both the centre and for our online posts.

We’ll be back posting online on Monday 13 July when we’ll also be confirming our program for Term 3.

See you soon!

Our book library was back … and then it disappeared again … and now it is permanently back. Hooray.

And it has been restocked with lots of books for kids and adults.

Pop past and check it out!

And, while on the subject of books, have you read anything you’d recommend lately? It would be great to get some suggestions together for a community post about good books. So, please comment with your recommendations if you are reading on Facebook or Instagram … or send us an email by clicking here.

Chance would have it that major works out the front of ACC were scheduled for after the Alphington Show … and just in time for coronavirus lockdown. In some ways (not that we would ever wish a pandemic on anyone anywhere) given how much of a hoo-ha they ended up being, it has been perfect timing.

Over the last couple of weeks Kalimna has captured some of the work going on in the garden with the gardening group and by the two lots of contractors (for the ramp and the pergola). She also documented the progress of our community art projects. And this week she made us a little video combining all these elements. Check it out!

So … we’re hoping that by the end of today all the main bits and bobs (including the book library) are in their permanent place. Wouldn’t that be exciting!?! And then … after the holidays we’re going to pay some attention to the front yard.

This week we started to install our stories from isolation sculptures. Don’t they look gorgeous grouped together in front of our new ramp!

Haha … it looks like I’ve been doing all the work in this pic. Actually Lee has been doing most of it! Thanks for taking the photo Mish.