Find out what is happening at ACC and in the neighbourhood.
“connecting our community”
This week our letter comes from a tennis playing grandma. Find out what she has been doing and how she’s been coping in her letter to you, her fellow lockdowners. 30 copies of the letter are out to collect - if your daily walk takes you past the Alphington milk bar you should grab one from the window to take home and read.
Want to read the rest … pop past the Wingrove Street milk bar opposite Alphington Station.
I am always looking for recommendations of what to watch; just like when friends share a good book they have enjoyed reading.
At our house, like most likely everyone in Victoria, our time at home has dramatically increased … along with our TV viewing. So I am going to share with you what I have been watching - hoping that you might enjoy it too.
The Letdown - Netflix
If you are new to parenting, or even just remember those days, then you will enjoy a great laugh at the main character Audrey’s struggle to adjust. It is filled with humour for all those moments you don’t know to expect. Alison Bell has written from her experience and is so genuinely funny. She is also the main character and is perfect.
Reprisal - SBS on Demand
A violent but oh so stylish story of revenge. This one had me hooked!
Little Fires Everywhere - Prime
A screen adaptation of the novel by Celeste Ng into a mini series starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. Like many people I read this book and found it engaging. The cast do the characters justice as the story addresses class and racial divides in America. Also what defines a family.
Parasite - Stan
This Oscar Award winning film is such a great one to watch. We talked about it together for days afterwards. The disparity of wealth, how characters reacted and why, the humour and the great direction by the film maker.
War Of The Worlds - SBS on Demand
An Anglo-French reworking of the classic H.G. Wells story. It is a great TV series. It follows several groups of survivors after the alien attack. Like the “Walking Dead” series it is filled with suspense.
I Am Not Your Negro - SBS on Demand and Stan
Raoul Peck’s amazing documentary exploring the thoughts of James Baldwin as he shares his unfinished novel about the murders of three important figures in the Black rights movement - Malcom X, Martin Luther King and Medgar Evers. It is a powerful film that is beautifully narrated. Relevant viewing for everyone. I was moved by the eloquence of James Baldwin. He was a playright, novelist, poet and activist. I will read his work and learn more about his fight to educate us after seeing this film.
Happy viewing!
As we all hunker down even further, perhaps now IS the time to do something just for yourself. Like a workshop or course in something.
If you’d just like to take this idea for a spin (rather than committing to anything full-on) you might like to explore Laneway Learning. Here’s their regular pitch:
Laneway Learning runs cheap, fun classes in anything and everything. It happens on weekday evenings in cafes, bars and other spaces around Melbourne. Classes usually have about 20 people to keep it friendly.
Having adapted to corona-times, they currently have a wide range of things on offer that run on zoom and really are affordable - some started at $9, most I looked at were $14.
Here’s a list of some of the courses coming up:
Creative paper flowers
Exploring watercolour pencils
Slow stitching - enjoying the making
The pleasure of writing
Make your own reusable mask
Self compassion in troubled times.
Sounds good right? Cheer yourself up and check them out!
I saw a post this week published on the Fairfield 3078 Facebook Group. I thought everyone would enjoy this snippet of it … (thanks Agnese for putting this info together).
Did you know that in 1919 the school holidays were extended due to the first wave of the Spanish flu? And Fairfield Primary School became a temporary hospital? The first patient was admitted on 16 February under the care of Dr Heffernan, a matron, an ambulance driver, two nurses, two wardsmen and a cook. The services of the hospital were free, but patients were asked to provide certain items of clothing and sheeting should the need arise. The telephone, gas and electricity were laid on to the school, and beds, bedding and medical equipment purchased.
The service lasted less than a month and in early March the school building was disinfected and fumigated in readiness for the children who returned to the school on 8 March.
And the bit I liked the most … the advice of the Minister for Health in 1919,
Travel as little as possible, avoid crowds, live as much as possible in the open air and lead quiet and cheerful lives.
GREAT advice right … especially the last bit. Lead quiet and cheerful lives …
From the State Library archives.
Keen to buy a face mask or two? Ours are made by locals (people from Alphington CWA and our craft group) specifically for you - our locals. They cost $10 and come in a variety of colours. You can now visit our online shop to order by clicking here. Or look for the link on our website.
Alternatively you can pop past on Wednesday (5 August) from 12-2pm to buy in person. We have around 100 in stock (thanks makers!) so shop away!
And …
We know you think you want black … but remember, a nice bright colour or a fun pattern is more likely to cheer you up!
When you head out, try tucking a little piece of lavender or lemon verbena (or some other lovely smelling herb) just inside your mask - to add a spark of joy to the whole experience!
A little in joke for all of the glasses wearers!
