As mentioned previously, these posters are now available - out the front in the community art bin - a gift from us to you! Help yourself when you are walking past. And … look after yourself!

It is a bit of a heart-wrenching letter this week. If you’d like to read it you can grab one from the Alphington Milkbar window. Limited numbers in the universe so be quick!

Many of our lofty intentions from lockdown 1 flew out the window didn’t they? And rightly so. Personally I found I had more than enough on my hands with working full time, the 3 more boring c’s (cooking, cleaning and caring for others - namely my gorgeous children) … and then obsessing over the news (yikes). Not one second left to repaint my house inside and out …

This time around I am only setting goals about me! About not letting all the things get out of hand. Which takes me back to those cute animations we made a few months ago.

Eating well, sleeping well, exercising, spending time in nature, keeping connected and making time to do the things I love. These ideas are resonating even more in lockdown 2.

So, this week we had some of the posters (above) of the animations (below) printed. A3 size. If you are passing by ACC you can pick one up for your fridge, or toilet door. We’ll have them out somewhere (I’ll update you where when we find a place!). Or if you live in the ‘hood just email us and we’ll do our best to drop one on your doorstep.

A cute and gentle reminder about the things that make us happy.

Our Community Shed has not just had an external makeover, but it has also had an internal makeover in the last couple of weeks. Getting things away so that surfaces can be cleaned down after use has been motivation to find a home for every last nut, bolt and screw.

We’re super pleased with the outcome. We look forward to resuming our Women in the Shed program on Tuesdays (with 2 sessions, one running from 9.30am-12.30pm and the second running from 1-4pm) and our Men in the Shed program, running from 12-3pm on Thursdays when we can.

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