Budgets, grants applications and acquittals, Council submissions … last week was flat out behind the scenes … and busy in person as well.

Lots of people attended the Embracing Life and Death discussions on Thursday afternoon. Crunch was a small group this time (but lovely - we did still life painting with gouache paint), we got a delivery of a couple of cubic metres of compost to keep us busy in the garden on Friday (thanks Nat at Darebin Council for organising this again!) … and two birthday parties were held at ACC 🥳 on Sunday.

This week CWA is meeting at the Gleeson Centre on Monday night, Garden to Plate is on Thursday at 11.30am … and it’s the long weekend … so we’ll see you back on deck next Tuesday.

Hope you make the most of it. I am planning to go to Rutherglen (to check out the wineries) with some of my oldest friends from university. Should be fun!

Cheers Leanne

We’re in round 12 … and a big congratulations to Adopted Crupi (Corrado) … with ‘Soarin’ (Thomas) coming second so far … only one point behind. Then we have a tie for 3rd - Dansuri and Richicog … with Alex and Rose coming a bit* further down the ladder.

However, they (Alex and Rose) are diligently coming in to ACC every week on Friday to update the IRL ladder for all to admire. See below for the latest photo of the results.

I (Leanne) started taking an extra interest in the footy a week or so ago when Jack Ison got his first game with Carlton - he and his family were at Fairfield PS with my kids and he played at Parkside Footy Club etc. So lots of local families were pretty chuffed to see him play in the AFL (I saw posts all over Instagram).

Anyway … I digress. We’re all looking forward to the rest of the season. I am sure we will rustle up a fabulous prize or two for the winners.

And a big thanks to those who are participating. It has been a super talking point through the week for everyone at ACC - particularly on Fridays.

* oops … second last (but they’re taking it in their stride)

This week Darebin Council endorsed new funding and leasing agreements for our neighbourhood houses.

We now have secure tenure for the next 8 years (4 + 4 lease) and funding for 4 + 4 years (with a review process built in along the way).

It is a great outcome and it was lovely to attend the meeting and hear just how much our local Councillors value neighbourhood houses.

A photo from the Alphington Show - Leanne with Mayor Emily Dimitriadis and Cr Alex Sangster.

Choko, choko, choko.

We had a week overflowing with choko this week … on Tuesday we used it to make a Choko Chutney in Preserves Group, and on Thursday we used it in a Thai Green Curry AND also as an ingredient in vegetarian spring rolls at Garden to Plate (yes my plans to cook from our own garden were waylaid temporarily - but next time for sure!).

Everyone loved them -.flavour absorbing and little bit crunchy … only Monika had some complaints as the sticky resin got stuck all over her hands when she peeled them (by Thursday we’d learnt our lesson and used gloves …).

Also this week we had a wonderful time celebrating all the people who volunteer at neighbourhood houses across Yarra at our shared afternoon tea event on Wednesday. Thanks to those who came along to the new Fitzroy Neighbourhood House! See the post below for some great photos taken my colleague Tony.

Councillors, council staff, neighbourhood house staff and volunteers all attended - and it was heart-warming to soak up all the goodwill from the lovely community minded people in the room!

This week I am pretty boring and in budget mode in the office (we’re getting our $$ plan together for the next financial year), whilst in other office news poor Kalimna has broken her finger! She’s all splinted up … and waiting to hear if she needs an operation. In the meantime she is soldiering on. Say an extra kind hello to her if you see her …

This week we have CRUNCH on Thursday at 12.30pm. Come along for some yummy food and an arty experience. Book in online. In the evening Keiko is back from Japan and running Sound Healing at 7pm. Book in with her directly.

And then there are all the usual things happening … Playgroup, Line Dancing, AAA Art, AAA Bowls, Community Lunch etc.

Hope to see you soon! Can’t believe we’re nearly at June (yikes).

Cheers Leanne

So many people help out at ACC … from our committee of governance members to those organising groups (book clubs, ukulele), helping with community lunch (cooking desserts, doing the dishes, setting up and packing up), cooking preserves, crafting, running activities (line dancing, community yoga), gardening, assisting with our AAA programs … and then those who help out at events! CWA Devonshire tea makers, BBQers, dog show wranglers and judges, kids activity helpers, ACC stall sellers … setter upperers and packer upperers. AMAZING!

ACC is an amazing community partnership that relies on so many people.

It was super to celebrate with some of our volunteers … along with volunteers from other houses in Yarra at a shared afternoon tea last Wednesday. Here are some lovely photos.