I think I forgot to mention that we (with all the other houses in Yarra) launched our Yarra Neighbourhood House Network Climate Action and Resilience Plan a week or so ago.

With fantastic support for Council staff we developed both an individual plan for our house and a shared plan for all of Yarra’s houses.

You can click on the links above to check them out.

It really is super to be taking this type of positive action, and amazing to be working collegiately with Council to think about how neighbourhood houses can make a difference as the impacts of climate change become more obvious. Having the plans also helps us prioritise grant opportunities as they come along, and share our agenda and now clearly articulated capability in this space, more clearly.

I also had the privilege of attending a VCOSS (Victorian Council of Social Services) ‘heatwave scenario planning’ workshop with about 40 other key social services representatives across greater Melbourne in the school holidays.

So it has been a really interesting and immersive month of climate change activity here at ACC.

Despite the overall result for Australia, and even Victoria, people in our local community overwhelmingly voted yes to support self-determination for our First Nations neighbours, friends and colleagues to address the structural disadvantage they face in our society, and help close the gap.

At Alphington PS 79% of voters said yes, at Fairfield PS 82% said yes and at Perry Street Kindergarten 75% said yes.

Alphington Community Centre has an ongoing commitment to supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart and we hope that beyond this referendum, momentum garnered in communities like ours can help move things forward, and we can together create a fairer and more just society.

We’re super excited about Music from the Wetlands! Such a fun and fabulous family day down by the Yarra at the bottom of View Street. It is coming up on Sunday 19 November starting at 11am … and we’ll be doing our bit running the kids activities again - put it in your diary and come along for a super relaxing neighbourhood day - and don’t forget to pop in and say hello to us!

Haha! We need a Treasure(r) here at ACC - for this financial year. If you yourself are kind-hearted and friendly - and would like to support our kind-hearted and friendly organisation, and have an hour or two available 10 times a year (we meet on a Monday at 6.30pm) … and can read a balance sheet - we need you!

Please note we have a very competent employed Finance Officer - so our Treasurer reports to the Committee of Governance on reports prepared for them - meaning the role is not in the trenches but focused on financial and strategic oversight.

If you are interested in helping out in this way please contact Leanne at info@alphington.org.au or call 9499 7227. Before our AGM on Monday 23 October.

Our upcoming Bike Repair Workshop runs on Saturday 28th October at 10am here at the Alphington Community Centre and costs $25.

It will be super for teenagers who ride to school or anyone who rides to work etc. It is an interactive, hands-on bike maintenance experience, and in the workshop you will learn:

• ABCD check: the essential safety check before every ride.

• Bike fit: how to set your seat at the correct height, and other adjustment related issues.

• Inner tube replacement: what to do when you get a flat tyre, what essentials to carry when riding.

• Puncture repair: how to use a patch-kit to patch a punctured tube (better for the environment).

• Brake adjustment: how to check and adjust your brakes, or replace brake pads as needed.

• If time allows and if it is of interest to the group, disc brake adjustment, care, maintenance, decontaminating, and pad replacement

• Chain replacement: what to do if your chain comes off during a ride.

• Drive-train clean and lube: how to keep clean and lube your drive-train to keep your bike running smoothly and extend the life of expensive components.

Book your place here. Places are limited.