Local artist Annie practices textile arts, using materials found on the lands of Naarm. Her latest creative project PillowTalk, is supported by City of Yarra Arts, and is all about caring about pillows:

1. while they're good, keeping them good - sustainable pillow advice

2. when they're done, using eco-dyeing and natural pigment inks to transform the outer fabric.

Annie's stall at the Alphington Show (coming up on Saturday 25 March) will provide you with practical advice on pillows and pillow stuffing. She'll be demonstrating dyeing techniques and inviting passers by to join in the process. She’ll also have zines about the world of pillows, stitched mini pillow cases … and more.

If you are interested in this project that is about recycling and repurposing in a creative way, and would like more information and/or would like to experiment with eco-dyeing yourself, sign up for Annie's PillowTalk workshop at ACC on 13th May!

Annie has already upcycled cotton fabric from over 100 pillows found on nature strips round the burbs - that’s pretty great right?

I f you came along to the Alphington Open Studios event at ACC in December last year you would have seen some really beautiful recycled timber chopping boards made by local artisan Jane Hausegger.

In Term 2 she has offered to run a workshop for us here at ACC, to teach people in the community how to select, cut, finish and dress recycled timber to safely use for kitchen products (that make amazing gifts) such as coffee paddles and chopping boards.

If you are interested in developing your timber skills you’ll love this course that has a focus on simple, beautiful and sustainable creations.

The workshop is on Saturday 6 May from 10am-12pm in our Community Shed and it costs $130 (which includes all materials). You can book in here.

Coming up! We’re looking forward to seeing lots of neighbourhood dogs 🐕 in the Alphington Dog Show this year. All the categories for entry are on our website. Don’t be shy. Bring your fur baby along!

The annual Alphington Show and always hilarious Alphington Dog Show are once again coming up at the end of March. So … as you sit at home of an evening think about your hobby - be it crochet, knitting, whittling, baking, preserving, gardening or bread making - you should also think about entering!

Imagine how proud you would be to be crowned the local 2023 WiNNER of best local jam (for example).

You can find all categories and download the application forms on our website. So keep a look out for the details … and we hope you join in!

We’re kicking off our new monthly Tuesday Movie Club on the 14 February and we’re going to see a romcom, from the makers of Bridget Jones Diary and Love Actually etc. So why not join us for a very romantic Valentine’s Day activity!

What’s Love Got To Do with It? is on at Westgarth Cinema at 12.45pm. The cost is $12.

If you want to come with us you’ll need to be at Alphington Community Centre at 12pm to catch the 12.07pm train at Alphington Station. We’ll arrive at Westgarth Station at 12.12pm. This gives us 30 minutes to walk over to the cinema and buy tickets etc.

If you plan to make your own way there that is great too! Just let us know so we can look out for you when we arrive.

If you are interested in joining in this activity please email us here. We propose to create a Movie Club What’s App group, so that we can easily organise this new ongoing monthly activity!

Here’s the official promo for the movie!

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A pitch perfect ballad of emotions, this romantic comedy follows a filmmaker who decides to document her best friend’s journey toward arranged marriage.

Moving between London and Lahore, this is a story of love, friendship, tradition and iconoclasm. How do you find lasting love in today's world? For documentary-maker and dating app addict Zoe (Lily James, Rebecca, Darkest Hour), swiping right has only delivered an endless stream of Mr. Wrongs, to her eccentric mother Cath's (Emma Thompson, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande) dismay.

For childhood friend and neighbour Kaz (Shazad Latif, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), the answer is to follow his parents' example and opt for an arranged (or "assisted") marriage to a bright and beautiful bride from Pakistan. As Zoe films his journey to marry a stranger, she begins to wonder if she might have something to learn from a profoundly different approach to finding love.

Striking a touching balance between respect for cultural customs and belief in the power of romance, What’s Love Got to Do with It? offers an impassioned take on the notion of love, romance and finding that special someone.