What a lovely, connected community we live in!

Another fabulous year of carol singing last night - Jan (our unflagging and entertaining host) and Jan (on piano for the first time) led a packed out Alphington Bowls Club audience through nearly every song in the ACC songbook once again. You never miss out on your favourite carol at this event - because they all get sung 🎵.

And it was just lovely to hear our local choir The Alphingtones perform. They sounded gorgeous.

Thanks David for your bagpiping … and Anne - always a powerhouse behind the scenes. And Mish for her running around! And Geoff (secret Santa business).

And everyone who comes along every year and contributes by leading a carol etc.

These carols have been running for around 40 years … and have been hosted at the Scout Hall, in the outdoor amphitheatre at Kate’s house (1 View Street) and now at Alphington Bowls Club. Last night I heard someone say they typed up the original songbook! Amazing.

And we raised about $275 through our gold coin donations. This year we’ll support some people doing it tough through The Salvos.

Merry Christmas.

We’re getting excited about this fabulous event returning. And the weather looks great at this stage … so come along this coming Sunday

• Follow the music - march from Alphington Park at 11:45am

• Arrive for lunch. BYO picnic or buy food from the Bowls Club Sausage Sizzle, Alphington Soccer Club and Little Bertha Crepes, Woking Amazing, and the CWA who will be offering fruit sticks and zooper doopers.

• The first band playing is Wing Defence - some of our talented young locals!

• Don’t forget your water bottle - a filtered water hydration station will be on site.

• This is a licensed event so sorry, no BYO alcohol. Drinks at Bowls Club prices!

• Always wanted to hone your juggling skills?  Now’s your chance - juggling workshop open to all from 2pm to 4pm

• There are LOTS of kids’ activities all day - Paint The Wetlands, nature crowns, face painting, the Scout climbing wall and more …

• And bands and music all day!

• Along with displays from local environmental groups - including the Field Naturalists and Friends of Merri Creek.

The Alphingtones are a local choir that used to meet here before Covid … but are now meeting at St Andrew’s church in Fairfield. Just behind Grill’d.

And their annual concert is coming up.

Here are the details if you’d like to attend.

And … if you feel inspired you might even like to join up … everyone is welcome … but they especially need some men with nice deep voices!

More details are out so you can plan your day.

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!