If you are interested in learning more about the history of our neighbourhood … and also like a stroll, perhaps you’d like to print out or collect our first History Walk.

This walk starts on the south side of Alphington Station and takes you on a tour of the Old Alphington Village. Thanks to Anne and the 3078 History Group for all the background work that has gone into this flyer, and thanks also to Lee for the graphic design and Kalimna for the photos.

We’re planning to record an accompanying podcast at some stage to sit along side this walk. We’ll let you know when this is active.

If you have a printer at home you can print a copy here. If you’d like to collect a printed copy you’ll find some out the front in the little brochure holder on the side of our seed library.

Did you know there are more than 500 neighbourhood houses around Victoria? And in response to the pandemic they are all doing different things, their own special mix of community engagement and support, responding directly to the needs of their local neighbourhood … utilising the skills within their staff and community, and the historical strengths of their own houses. Some are building up food relief efforts, some are keeping in touch through phone calls, some are building online communications, some are focussing on place-based neighbourhood activities and projects and some are running online activities.

And … the great thing about activities online is that anyone can join in from anywhere …

So today here’s just a few ideas of some online activities running from other houses across Victoria for the next week or two that might tickle your fancy:

Arrabri Community House

2-30 September

Find out more and book in here

Chelsea Heights Community Centre

Friday 3 September at 10am

A FREE teaser 30 min session with our ever popular fitness instructor Shelley. Who says working out needs to be boring? Step away from the treadmill! Get fit with these fun ways to exercise with Shelley our personal trainer. Equipment no worries, use something from home. Cans for dumbbells! Book here.

Belvedere Community Centre

Monday 6 September, 3-4pm

Come and join us online with the whole family for a fun afternoon of art and craft.

A challenge will be set and you will be emailed with what things you will need to have collected prior to the event (think things from around the house, nature, etc)

We can't wait for a fun afternoon with other families as we craft and laugh together.

Book here

Iramoo Community Centre

Tuesday 7 September, 10am

Learn about creating an Edible Garden with Craig Castree (from Edible Gardens)! Join Craig who is a qualified horticulturist with over 45 years experience, as he shares his passion in edible gardening. Also learn how to use your existing garden to grow your own food. This is a FREE Workshop.

Please email admin@iramoocc.com.au to book in and receive your ZOOM link.

Wednesday 8 September, 10am

Join Madhubani for an online art class where she demonstrates how to create your own watercoloured flowers. This is a FREE Workshop.

To book in and get your ZOOM LINK please email admin@iramoocc.com.au.

belvedere community centre

Saturday 18 September, 6-7pm
Why should kids have all the fun?? Calling all adults...... Come and join us for a fun social catchup on Zoom and enjoy some Trivia Questions. There will be prizes to be won! Book here.

National Science Week ran from 14-22 August. And we had a fabulous eco-dyeing weekend workshop on offer here at ACC with local textile artist Rose Kulak. She does the most amazing prints and we were VERY excited about it.

This week however, we came to the sad conclusion that it is unlikely that we’ll be able to go ahead with this workshop in person anytime soon, and so instead we’ve been exploring how we can offer an eco-dyeing experience at home.

Rose is helping us put together a couple of different take home kits that include all the materials and instructions you will need to undertake a project using things like eucalyptus leaves, onion skins or oxalis (sour grass that is now in bloom all over the neighbourhood).

Eco-dyeing 101 kit

a dye bath in action … looks pretty cool huh?

So if you’d like to learn a new skill and/or you are keen to explore the science of eco-dyeing and eco-printing … and to find out more about natural fibres, mordants and fixatives, the impact of pressure and heat, and pH levels … then email us here and nominate your preference for the:

1. Eco-printing 101 kit (learn how to use pressure and steam for printing) or

2. Eco-dyeing 101 kit (learn how to make a natural dye bath)

When you register we’ll get back to you re. collection times over the next few days. And then … we hope you have lots of fun … and send us a photo or two of your amazingly interesting (and fingers-crossed, beautiful) results!

Note, this activity is designed for adults, and will also be really interesting for children - but supervision is strongly recommended and actually really necessary.

Thanks Yarra City Arts for financially supporting and helping promote the Alphington Neighbourhood Gallery. Here’s a link to their latest enews post about Gabe Freeman, the artist currently on our fence.

Also … you might like to sign up to receive their news in your inbox … to keep up to date with what’s going on and coming up. Yarra City Arts do a fabulous job supporting a wide variety of artists, arts projects and events, and art spaces across Yarra each year.

I’m looking forward to:

• More sunshine ☀️ - the weekend was pretty great!

• Our short courses starting (Women in the Shed with Maylei, Woodworking Projects with Dave and Drawing with Louisa are all kicking off this week).

• Arty Gardening on Friday … parents and kids, oldies and youngies … and anyone in between who enjoys creative outdoorsy activities is welcome to join Katrina in the garden and/or shed from 10.30am. This week we’ll be decorating and filling seed packets. Then why not stay for morning tea (at 11.30am with Kalimna).

• Our new play equipment arriving - finally. Lockdown delayed things a little, but we have a new cubby and sandpit now arriving (fingers crossed) on Wednesday. They’re going to be pretty gorgeous we think! Pop past later in the week for a play.

• Catching up with more of you! I did see lots of people last week and catch up on their news, but I was sick on Friday and missed seeing all our regular Friday friends. Hopefully this week!

Pods collected for nature play - in the garden on Wednesday (Playtime in the Garden) and Friday (Arty Gardening) mornings. There are activities on every weekday morning at ACC for young families.