Here are the photos as promised from our recent Yarra Neighbourhood House Network volunteer lunch.

Thanks to everyone who came along. We hope you had a great day!

This term at ACC we are delighted to have our friends from Alphington CWA helping us out with the catering for our morning teas /sort of early light lunches that are on at 11.30am each Friday during school term, outside under the pergola in the front garden.

Our gardeners, shedders and crafters come together each week after an active/creative morning, to share a cuppa and a some delicious food and a chat.

The first week of our new arrangement went swimmingly, everyone LOVED the food that was provided … AND we’re all quite excited to see what turns up next week … thanks Alphington CWA (Silvana and Miranda in particular this week).

If you are a local who enjoys gardening or crafting or making or chatting … please join us on a Friday morning from 10am for our community morning. You can come along regularly, or pop in more randomly. There’s a great bunch of lovely welcoming people here, and a super-friendly outdoor program you can join in led by Clare.

And if you are interested in joining the Alphington CWA they meet just around the corner at the Darebin Parklands Rangers Offices, in the Gleeson Room on the first Monday of the month at 7.30pm.

We are very fortunate to have Phil volunteer his time weekly to help anyone in our community who needs assistance with their devices … phones, tablets, laptops and lately even printers! He’s a master of all things computery ….

Phil is generally here on Tuesday afternoon from 2-4pm, but in Term 2 the times will change for 6 weeks - to Wednesdays from 10am-12pm. This will start from Wednesday 26 April (our first day back) and run through to Wednesday 7 June.

So … if you need help with your device (you are having trouble setting up your new phone, your tablet is doing strange things, you’re email isn’t working across your devices, you need some tips of how to use Word or Excel etc.) you are more than welcome to come along and he’ll do his best to help you. To book in just call Kalimna in our office on 9499 7227 (she is here Tuesday and Thursday).

We often have enquiries about art classes, so we’re excited that Clare (who is here on Friday running Gardening Group in the morning and AAA Art in the afternoon) is starting a new Art Class in Term 2.

She will be running it in the new light-filled Bellfield Community Hub, just up the road in Bellfield … (hooray - you’ll be able to stop in at Tamby Food and buy some treats on the way home - I noticed it has reopened last time I went past).

Clare’s social and fun small group adult art classes will run on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm with Term 2 beginning on 17th May and running for 5 weeks. The cost is $225 and her classes are suitable for beginners and also intermediate artists.

This term the focus will be on COMPOSITION & COLOUR in LANDSCAPE ART.

Visit Clare’s website swirlart.com.au to find out more and book in. Or you can call her on 0423453160.

“Manhood is a journey that requires self-discovery, courage, vulnerability, compassion, connection, and purpose.”

Our lovely neighbourhood friend John Byrne is the founder of Coaching Life Works. He has over 30 years experience in the field of counselling for men and youth. He has a long association with ACC. In Term 2 he is starting up a new Men’s Group, meeting on Monday evenings in the Community Shed here at ACC, from 6.45pm-9pm. If you are interested in finding out more or coming along you can contact John directly on 0439 899 352 or email coachinglifeworks@gmail.com.

Here is a little introduction he has sent through.

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Many of us want to make changes in our lives, but we often find ourselves stuck in the contemplation stage, unsure of how to move forward. And crossroads in our lives (such as starting families, retiring from work etc.) can make us feel stuck in our careers, relationships, or personal lives, struggling to break free from the past and embrace a brighter future.

Personal growth is a lifelong journey that requires self-reflection, introspection, and a willingness to confront our deepest fears and insecurities. As men, we often struggle with expressing vulnerability and seeking help, especially when it comes to our emotional well-being. However, acknowledging our limitations and seeking support is not a sign of weakness but a testament to our strength and resilience.

At Coaching Life Works our mission is to empower and support men as they identify their values, strengths, and goals, encouraging them to live fulfilling lives that align with their true purpose. We provide a safe and supportive environment for men to explore their thoughts, behaviours, and feelings, particularly emotional intelligence and develop strategies to overcome obstacles as they achieve their desired outcomes.

Our coaching approach is tailored to everyone’s unique needs and challenges and is rooted in evidence-based practices that promote self-awareness, resilience, a growth mindset and emotional intelligence. We use a variety of techniques, including experiential body centred awareness, positive psychology and mindfulness to help our clients develop the skills and tools they need to navigate life's challenges with confidence and clarity.

As a coach, I am passionate about empowering men to become the best versions of themselves, and to create meaningful change in their lives. I have seen first hand how coaching can transform lives and bring about lasting, positive change. Whether you are looking to overcome a specific challenge, improve your relationships, or gain clarity about your life's purpose, Coaching Life Works can help you achieve your goals.

As someone who has personally experienced the transformative power of coaching, I am committed to helping men achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives. I believe that everyone deserves to reach their full potential and that Coaching Life Works can help you be powerful in your personal growth and development.

You can visit my website at www.coachinglifeworks.com to learn more about our coaching services.

I look forward to hearing from you and supporting you on your journey.

Sincerely,

John Byrne