Hi everyone, Leanne here.

At ACC we all (well nearly all) need to do our first aid certificate again. Some of us (like Kalimna) need to do the refresher course and some of us (like me) are due to do the full course.

We are thinking of getting someone to come out to ACC to run the course (like we did last time) - most likely on a Wednesday which is the only day our main room is free. If you too need to - or would like to - get your first aid certificate (renewing it or doing it for the first time) and would like to join in our session, you can let us know here, and we’ll let you know the proposed date and cost. Cheers.

Hi all, happy days! After the 5 day lockdown ACC will be opening tomorrow (Thursday) with the same rules as before the lockdown.

We’re looking forward to seeing all our Japanese Playgroup friends along with the enthusiastic Thursday Women in the Shed group. Matthew’s Guitar Lessons are also back on tomorrow afternoon.

Anyone keen to drop off food for the ASRC should note that Andy wont be here this week, but our cupboard is open and you can still leave non-perishable goods here anytime. Not sure where to leave them? Give us a call.

Please also note that adults will need to wear masks indoors and everyone who is onsite for more than 15 minutes will need to register via the QR code, by visiting our website or popping into the office. Thanks all. See you soon.

We are hoping that some local people might have an abundance of fruit or vegetables from their garden they would like to send our way.

Last year we had a once-a-month preserving session at ACC on Friday morning. And we’re keen to start it back up again.

So if you have extra zucchini or cucumbers, stone fruit … or anything else we could turn into pickles or chutneys or jams please let us know as we have some keen local volunteers waiting to get to work :-)

This term our garden is open for young families to come and have a play on Wednesday mornings from 10am-12pm.

We’ve got the sandpit open, the toys out, ride-ons at the ready and some crafty activities set up.

If you’re looking for a change from the local park you can pop past with a coffee from the cafe, or an icy pole from the milkbar, and make yourself at home.

The very best thing about being part of a neighbourhood house is the ability to make the most of the skills in our community and the opportunities on our doorstep.

During lockdown we met lovely local Maylei when she contacted us proposing a wooden spoon carving workshop - and followed up with a visit to buy a mask and introduce herself in person, back in the day when masks were the new thing (it seems like a lifetime ago now).

Wooden spoon carving sounds pretty cool right? And we were keen to continue the discussion (note the expression of interest process we have running - you can register here if it sounds like your cup of tea too).

Anyway, we’ve been having ongoing discussions with Maylei about how she could contribute at ACC, and last term she took part in our Women in the Shed program, with the thought that if demand continued, she could run an additional session this year.

And it has. And so she is.

So we thought it might be nice to introduce her. Maylei is a visual artist and social documentary photographer. She is originally from Sydney but moved to Melbourne four years ago.

She has a diploma in Community Development and has taught a range of creative classes to children and adults alike, including photography, visual arts and wooden spoon carving (obviously).

Maylei has a long-standing interest in wood working and particularly loves creating practical items. Here’s a photo of her with the rustic planter she made last term in our program … she made it to match one she has at home already.

If you are keen to book yourself a place in Women in the Shed it is full this term but there are spots available next term. So you can still join in this safe, kind, fun, creative and supportive class on Thursdays. And we also have a couple of Learn Local discounted spots as well for next term (these take the cost down from $150 to $50 for those that need it - just contact our office). Find out more and book in here.