Wow, I think we had over 100 people along on Friday night for the opening of the Winter Arts Salon exhibition - which was just super. We had over 50 artists exhibiting, and hung around 150 works - it was LOTS of work to hang, but the whole place looked amazing.

Thanks to all the artists who person-ed the gallery over the weekend, and everyone who came along. It all felt very neighbourhoodly!

I have included some snaps I took but will make a post with Kalimna’s photos next week!

Lovely to see everyone last week with the resumption of Crunch, Garden to Plate etc.

I (we) hope to see more of you this week!

Please note that Kalimna will be out of the office on Tuesday this week - and I have an exciting afternoon - attending a ceremony on behalf of Friends of Baucau - 26 friendship groups will be awarded the Order of Timor-Leste by President Jose Ramos-Horta. You may remember that Darebin Neighbourhood Houses had the opportunity to travel to Timor-Leste in 2019 with Friends of Baucau - and I have been on the committee ever since providing neighbourhood house input.

So … our office will be unattended but please email if you need anything and I will check in.

Our Men’s Breakfast on Saturday had 13 attendees planning to come along which was super for our first one … and I am looking forward to catching up with John this week to see how it went.

A reminder that 2nd Monday Book Club is on tonight, and that Line Dancing and Sound Healing are on Wednesday.

Also that Community Lunch is on Friday.

Finally … lock in Friday 22 August from 5-7pm and join us for the opening of our Winter Arts Salon Exhibition. Drinks and nibbles … and lots of local art! Always fun.

Have a great week.

Cheers Leanne

Hi everyone

Sorry I missed the newsletter last week! I was on an overnight flight from Penang home and after 4.5 weeks of holidays I was a bit vague and forgot to check if we’d put something together or not.

But … I am back now and it has been lovely to catch up with so many of you in the last few days.

And … we’ve got lots starting up this week.

• Monday (today) - Table to Plate. It’s free! Join me from 11.30am-1pm and we’ll cook up seasonal produce (and catch up on life, school holidays etc.) and then sit down and eat together. We’re going to be cooking with lime today - fresh from my (and Julie’s) garden! And using some of the leafy greens that are flourishing in the garden beds at ACC, along with potatoes that we harvested just before the holidays.

• Clare’s Artful Paining and Drawing is starting this week, and Corrin’s Learn to Weave course is also starting up. Look at the bottom our this email, or on our website for their contact details to book in. It’s not too late!

• On Thursday we have Crunch. $15. I will cook lunch, and make you a coffee with a little sweet treat. Lee will lead a fabulous art activity. There is a regular crew of people who are coming now - but new faces are very very welcome. It is friendly, yummy, creative and fun. We hope to see you.

• Friday - Community Morning and Community Lunch. Free. Join us for craft and chats inside and/or join Clare in the garden and community shed for more practical activities (along with chats of course) outside from 10am. Followed by lunch at 12pm.

• Saturday - a new addition! John is running our new Men’s Breakfast. $10. Join him from 8am and cook up a storm together, before sitting down to eat and get to know each other. Suitable for men of all ages - brothers, sons, fathers, uncles, grandpas … You can contact our office to book in or get in touch with John (his details are in the brochure below).

Also, our Winter Salon is coming up very soon - on 22-24 August. We are seeking local artists to be part of the show, so please encourage anyone you know to get in contact with us if they might be keen. There is a form to fill out on our website. It is free to enter. Please not that works need to be for sale. It is always a lovely event - one of the highlights of the year. On the Friday night we’ll have our opening night, with drinks and nibbles from 5-7pm. And then the show will be open on the weekend from 10am-3pm for anyone to drop in. This year local artist Joe will be using The Kiosk for a poetry and movie installation - Lee and I spent last Thursday setting up the space and giving it a trial run - it is going to be super fun!

Okay, so that’s about it I think. Hope all is well with you and look forward to seeing you at ACC soon!

x Leanne

This week join us for our Men’s Group on Tuesday night from 7pm. Call John to find out more 0439 899 352.

Or Playgroup on Wednesday morning at 10am. Also Line Dancing at 10am - at Alphington Scout Hall. Each costs $5. Just come along! There’s also Armchair Theatre on in the afternoon from 1.15pm. This is run by Darebin U3A.

On Wednesday evening we have Sound Healing with Keiko from 7.15-8pm. Just $10 for a super relaxing experience. Find out more or book in Sounddroplet@tutamail.com.

On Thursday we have the first Embracing Life and Death session from 1-3pm. Find out more or book in with Andrea, Andrea_babon@yahoo.com. And the Alphingtones Choir run at night over at St Andrews Uniting Church Fairfield from 7.30pm.

Finally Friday is our Community Morning - craft, gardening, community shed activities from 10am. Community Lunch at 12pm.

We hope to see you soon!

Cheers Leanne

Hi all

We have our last Table to Plate for the term today (Monday). Join us from 11.30am to cook up something yummy!

Please note that unfortunately we have to cancel Preserves tomorrow. We will touch base with everyone today via the Whats App group.

Our garden is looking fabulous after the rain and the hard work of Jenny, Corrado and Dinesh on Friday … and we had a great time seeing our friends from GenU for art and craft on Friday morning as well. Check out the photos below.

Thanks also to Tahlia for holding the fort - she did a great job cooking dumplings and fried rice and a yummy chinese cabbage dish on Friday - yum. We look forward to seeing you on Friday for lunch this week if you can make it. Anyone is welcome to join us at 12pm.

We hope you have a great week.

See you soon.

Leanne