At the end of 2020 we had lots of interesting conversations with people about how to revamp existing short courses, workshops and programs, and we also started exploring some new interesting ideas.

And this year we have put together a formal ‘Expression of Interest’ page on our website.

On this page we invite you to register if you are interested in :

• Being part of a Men in the Shed program this year - we need more people to commit to this program for it to be viable - and we’re interested in exploring what is should look like … are men in the area interested in making things with tools, or would doing some social things together suit more people, or is gardening a good draw card, or perhaps sharing cooking and meals might be the thing that men are interested in doing together? Once we have a number of people registered we’ll start exploring what this program should look like on the ground.

• Lego Club. Cat ran Lego Club last year in the school holidays and as an after school activity. This year she could run it on either a Monday or a Wednesday. We invite you to contact her to register your interest.

• An Introduction to Collage course, either on a weeknight or on the weekend. Local artist Maria has approached us and is offering to run an affordable collage class. If this is something that tickles your fancy we have a registration process for this as well.

• Spoon carving with local artist Maylei Hunt. This is probably one for semester 2, as we will need to find some funding to buy the equipment, but we’re wondering how many people would be keen …

To find out more and register just click here.

At ACC we don’t have lots of indoor space but we have access to larger spaces in the local area and we have some long-standing connections with wonderful women who are committed to sharing their talents and skills to help others keep fit and active and connected in the community through dancing.

In 2021 you can join Shirley at the Alphington Scout Hall (tucked away in Adams Street in south Alphington) for line dancing on Wednesday morning from 10am for the bargain price of $3. More than 20 women and men join her to keep fit and active and then share morning tea each week. To book in call Shirley 0410 601 796.

Alternatively, if tap dancing is more your thing we can suggest giving Mel a call. She runs community tap classes on a Thursday morning from 10am just up the road in Ford Street, Fairfield. Her classes are $12 per week. BYO tap shoes! Contact Mel to book yourself in on 0403 775 756.

We’re very excited that our lovely local artist friend Louisa Bufardeci will be offering a 6 week program of drawing classes in the community shed on a Saturday in Term 1 and Term 2 this year.

The classes are designed for all abilities from beginners to more experienced artists, and will focus on building up participants observational drawing skills. They will explore things like perspective and composition using objects at hand (perhaps you’ll walk away with some fabulous drawings of power tools and handsaws!).

The classes could be ideal for high school students who are doing art, or anyone else who would like to come along and join in a low cost art experience.

If you have a burgeoning interest or simply enjoy company while you create please book yourself a place here.

The course costs $90 for 6 weeks (only $15 a week) and includes Louisa’s tutoring and all materials. Term 1 starts on Saturday 13 February.

Do you have a new phone that you don’t understand, want to learn how to sell on ebay or would like to learn how to use skype, your email, or any other technology that eludes you?

You can meet face to face (masks on if necessary) and be shown one-on-one how to tackle the problem with the help of volunteer tutor, David.

His patience and knowledge are endless.

This is a free service that is supported by the Be Connected program. Please call on 9499 7227 when we return (we’ll be back on deck after Australia Day) to book in for 1 hour x 4 Wednesdays at either 10am, 11am or 12pm.

And, if you need more help after the 4 weeks are up, or you get a new device, or build your confidence to explore more of the online world but need a few tips, you can book in again!

Jen Neille has been teaching in our shed and building art in the garden spaces at Alphington Community Centre for a little while now.

So we thought you might like to know a little more about her!

I asked Jen how she came to be an artist and how she found her way here.

Jen said that she has never been a traditional girl. Instead she won prizes for her art and her efforts at sport. She loved science and still does today. She explained that when she was small her family went to church and because she hated to sit still, her mother brought things so she could draw and colour. From there she explored all her interests in art, including drawing and painting, and then branched out into sewing, fashion styling, landscaping (which was part of her family business), renovating houses and mosaicking (which she learnt at Traralgon Neighbourhood House - her intro to neighbourhood houses!).

Jen originally attended Traralgon Neighbourhood House with her children, but she ended up teaching there. And in doing so she discovered a passion for teaching women.

It was in 2010 when she was working in bushfire relief in the West Gippsland region that she met Laurie Collinsa metal sculptor who would become a friend and teacher to Jen. In 2015 Jen took Laurie up on his offer to show her how to use a welder and Jen went to Jindivick twice a week to learn and create with him. Here is a link to explore Laurie’s art.

It was a couple of years ago, when Jen was living in Kew, that she heard that there was a shed space opening in Alphington. And so she popped by and talked with Leanne during a community lunch - and from that conversation Jen ended up working with us. We have been so lucky to have Jen sculpt signs and make art as well as teach here at ACC.

She is now teaching our Women in the Shed program, that empowers women through practical projects involving timber, tiles and metal. The program is open to beginners on Monday and those with some knowledge of tools on Tuesdays.

And in 2021 we are also offering an additional class for women of all skill levels on Thursdays with Maylei (another creative out).

You can find out more about the program and enrol here.