Over the last month or so we’ve been working on the somewhat neglected garden bed right at the front corner of our site. It’s always been a bit unkempt, and we’ve never quite known if we are maintaining it or if Council is. But recently we officially agreed that we would take charge into the future … and we started giving it a new lease of life with a little garden bed on top (donated by the neighbours across the road when they moved out - thanks!) and we filled it with fogo compost goodness … and we also took out the scrappy woody bushes that were making it awkward to sit on the bench seat … all in preparation for the planting of an insect attracting garden.

This week (on Friday) we started our replacement planting, thanks Darebin Council for the tube stock. We’ve got lots of lovely low growing mostly local indigenous plants going in - building on the legacy the Graeme started with the grasses he planted a few years ago - and we’re hoping the new plants survive and thrive. We’ll also be adding in some fabulous outdoor art I expect (we just have to come up with an inspiring idea!). So keep an eye out …

Thanks to everyone who helped out with the planting - and thanks to all the passers by who shared words of encouragement as we toiled away!

The weirdest thing happened on Friday … someone came along and completely emptied our little book library!? Whilst we were there I think … our community gardeners said it was full at 10am but it was definitely completely empty by the afternoon … so odd.

In addition, over the school holidays two of our little toadstool cushions that make our cubby house so cute disappeared, as did our outdoor table tennis bats, and Bim and Tig - the little salt and pepper shakers that were on holiday in our birdcage … and all the other fun recycled community art that Lee had created for community enjoyment.

We’ve put lots of things out on the street for people to use in the last few years and left our site open for community access after hours - trusting in community goodwill. So it’s all a bit disappointing. Sigh.

Anyway … if you have some books we’d love to restock the book library. And we’ll get new outdoor bats for the table tennis so it can be used again - it has really been super to see all the different people who stop for a quick hit (you can tell from the worm spots on the grass how popular it is!).

Voice with Ged

If you are keen to find out more about the upcoming referendum, our local Federal MP Ged Kearney will be here at ACC on Wednesday 12 July from 2pm for a chat and afternoon tea.

Anyone who has questions or would like to know more is welcome to come along. Just RSVP here, or call the office on 9499 7227 and leave your name and number so we can get in touch if we need to.

Timor-Leste Concert

A reminder that the Dili Allstars concert at Collingwood Town Hall is coming up this Thursday 13 July from 6.30-9pm. Here is the link to find out more.

It is a free event (donations are welcome on the night as funds raised will go the supporting Friends of Baucau programs) with food and a bar … AND you can book tables of 10 people for $100 … if you’d like to sit down. Please let us know if you’d like to be part of our table here - it costs $10 per person.

Hooray! Hard rubbish collections begin in June.

Darebin’s hard rubbish collection is being rolled out area-by-area starting after the long weekend … moving south to north every two weeks.

You will receive a brochure in your letter box before your collection - it will include everything you need to know!

It is super important to note that Council can only actually recycle e-waste, mattresses, car tyres and scrap metal … so the rest (that isn’t collected by neighbours etc. as part of the joyful informal hard rubbish swap that inevitably happens!) goes to landfill.

BUT … this year there is someplace to take those great-for-someone-else things that don’t get redistributed before the truck comes by … Darebin Hard Rubbish Heroes is once again setting up ReLove - the PreLoved Pop Up … a friendly recycling shop!

So if you have items that someone else might love - or if you just like to rifle through other people’s junk in a friendly shop environment (rather than - or perhaps in addition to - on the street), pop on down to the old Kmart Tyre and Auto at the back of the Plaza (should be a super venue) and check out what’s in stock.

And … it is ALL run by volunteers SO … to volunteer yourself just click here. And … if you want to find out more about these passionate and committed locals (and pick up bargains year round) you can join Darebin Hard Rubbish Heroes on Facebook.

Hard rubbish season is THE BEST season!

Thanks so much to the 29 participants in the 2023 Alphington Dog Show.

Another packed out event that ran as part of the overall Alphington Show.

Lots of cute dogs. Lots of winners. Thanks to Jill for once again being a super MC and to our judges … and to E and A Salce up on High Street in Thornbury for our lovely prizes.

Here are some photos (thanks Kalimna for your amazing photography skills).