Hi friends, we really need some help at the Alphington Show this year!

It is coming up next weekend on Saturday 26 March from 11am-2pm and we have 3 jobs we’re seeking volunteers to fill:

• sausage sellers - we have the cooks in place (thanks Geoff et al.) but we need a couple of people to help sell the sausages (take the money, hand over the sausages etc.). If you can help please let us know!

• kids activities - could you take the money so they can enjoy the pony rides and crafty fun … and person the ‘guess the lollies’ jar at the same time?

• dog show registrations - it’s simple! We need someone to help people sign up and select the categories they’d like to enter, then give the entrants a number to wear and direct them to the ‘show arena’ at 12pm. If you love dogs 🐕 this is a super role to fill.

If you could help please let us know! You can call 9499 7227 or email us here and Kalimna will book you in.

Keen to know more about the Alphington Show? Click here.

Last week we decorated seed packets together … marigolds … and filled up our seed library with the gorgeous packets.

This week we welcome Clare Mannion to run our Friday morning program. Some of you will probably know Clare - her children were at Alphington PS.

We’ll be looking forward to exploring some more Arty Gardening projects together in the coming months and tapping into both her gardening knowledge and arts background. Welcome Clare.

If you are interested in gardening, engaging in garden based arty activities outdoors with others or keen to have a neighbourhood chat you can join us in the garden from 10am on Fridays, followed by morning tea at 11.30am.

The final artist to feature in our outdoor gallery is local photographer Kalimna Mohamed.

Many of you will know Kalimna from ACC - but did you know she is a professional photographer in the rest of her life? This is why we have such gorgeous photographs that capture all the things we do at ACC - we consider ourselves very lucky!

The gallery on our fence features a selection of photographs she has taken from previous dog shows - capturing the personalities of a raft of our neighbourhood furry friends and their owners.

Next time you are out for a walk come past and check them out - and scan the QR code or follow this link to find out more about Kalimna’s work.

And a final thanks to Yarra City Arts for supporting this street gallery project! It has been a wonderful addition to our neighbourhood for the last year.

Our new tables arrived and they are very lovely. They came just in time for our first Sunday birthday party booking for the year.

We’re very pleased to be recommencing children’s birthday party bookings at ACC. If you would like to have a party 🎉 🎈 in our garden - and inside - you can check out the available times (and book in) here.

ACC is a great space for a party … and we have all the catering equipment you would likely need as well.

Looking to introduce your children to age appropriate concepts, language and actions that enable and empower them (and you as a family) to talk about and make a difference in the climate change sphere? Yarra City Council is hosting two events you might be interested in. Thanks Karen for sending these workshop links through.

Young children talking climate action (free event)

10.30am-12.15pm, Wednesday April 6, Collingwood Children’s Farm

To register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/273977081827

Come along and take climate action as a family within the natural surrounds of the Collingwood Children’s Farm. Join CERES early childhood educator, Deanne Jones, to take part in simple activities that engage young children with climate change and climate actions which can be taken as a family. The activity will be followed up with a nature play activity and families can then stay and enjoy the Farm after the event.

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Talking with young children about climate change (free event)

7-8.30pm, Tuesday April 12, online

To register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/273906009247

Join psychologist Susie Burke to hear about ways of coping with the ‘uncomfortable truths’ of climate change and gather ideas about how to support our children to cope. Also hear from an early childhood educator and a parent about what gives them hope and how they have engaged young children around climate change. The concepts covered are applicable to children of all ages, with this session focussing on children within the age of 2-6years.